AARP Poll: Older Americans Find Few Alternatives to Automobile

Fighting Gas Prices, Nearly A Third of Americans Age 50+ Hang Up Their Keys To Walk But Find Streets Inhospitable, Public Transportation Inaccessible

August 13, 2008 -- A new poll by AARP finds that while many Americans ages 50+ are trying to move away from car transportation as a result of high gas prices, their attempt to go “green” is challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as insufficient public transportation options.

Subway entrance in Brooklyn, New York: Photo by ian crowther (CC)

“More Americans age 50+ are trying to leave their cars behind but face obstacles as soon as they walk out the door, climb on their bikes or head for the bus,” said Elinor Ginzler, AARP Senior Vice President for Livable Communities.

Almost one of every three people (29%) polled say they are now walking as a way to avoid high gas prices. But as those people set out to walk, almost 40% of the 50+ population say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Additionally, 44% say they do not have nearby public transportation that is accessible. Almost half (47%) of poll responders say they cannot cross the main roads safely – 4 in 10 pedestrian fatalities are over the age of 50. www.aarp.org/gascosts *

There’s good news and bad news for Americans age 50+ looking to change their travel habits. In many states, the pedestrian fatality rate of those over age 65 is far above the national average. The worst states for pedestrian fatalities over age 65 are (in order) Hawaii, Alaska, New York, California, New Mexico, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, Washington, DC and Arizona according to AARP’s analysis of government pedestrian fatality data. Many states, cities and towns are looking for ways to solve this problem by adopting “complete streets” policies. The Columbus, Ohio city council just passed a complete streets resolution on July 29th and both Decatur, Georgia and Seattle Washington adopted complete streets policies this spring.

“Complete streets enable pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit riders to share the road safely with automobiles,” said Elinor Ginzler, AARP’s Senior Vice President for Livable Communities. “More cities and states are adopting policies requiring their transportation agencies to ensure that roads are routinely designed or redesigned for all modes of travel. And instituting these new standards makes it safer for residents of all ages,” she stated.

“Some cities like Sacramento, California and Kirkland, Washington are ahead of the curve,” said Ginzler. “They have extra-wide sidewalks, flowered medians and flashing lights embedded in crosswalks at busy intersections. Bike lanes and bus stops line even some of the town's busiest streets. These amenities allow residents to be safer pedestrians and commuters and even help the flow of vehicle traffic.”

At the national level, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), led efforts in the U.S. Senate to develop safer, comprehensively designed streets. Harkin introduced the bipartisan Complete Streets Act of 2008 (S. 2686) this spring. Senate cosponsors include Senators Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Norm Coleman (R-MN). Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) took a significant step for safer streets in May by introducing the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 (H.R. 5951) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT) cosponsors the bipartisan bill. The bills would ensure that roads built and improved with federal funds safely serve everyone using the roadway -- including pedestrians, people on bicycles or those catching the bus, as well as those with disabilities. This is the first time that comprehensive complete streets bills have been introduced in the House and Senate. AARP is a member of the Complete Streets Coalition supporting these bills. For more information on gas prices and complete streets, go to http://www.completestreets.org/documents/cs-gasprices-print.pdf

*The telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,006 Americans age 50 and older was conducted for AARP between July 9 and July 15, 2008 by International Communications Research, Inc. The sampling error is +/- 3.09 percent.

Source: AARP