Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

Leaving Cars Behind, Seniors Find Streets Inhospitable

11:32 AM EDT on August 20, 2008

1431951650_b0764494d8.jpgA recent poll conducted by AARP finds that Americans over the age of 50 are cutting down on car trips due to rising gas prices, but are finding public infrastructure, or lack thereof, to be an obstacle.

Almost one of every three people (29%) polled say they are now walkingas 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 adequatesidewalks in their neighborhoods. Additionally, 44% say they do nothave nearby public transportation that is accessible. Almost half (47%)of poll responders say they cannot cross the main roads safely – 4 in10 pedestrian fatalities are over the age of 50.

Still, 40 percent of poll respondents say they have walked, biked, or taken public transit more frequently since gasoline prices began trending upward. More than half, 54 percent, say they would use alternate modes of transportation if conditions were improved.

As older New Yorkers can attest, impediments to car-free mobility are not exclusive to suburbs and exurbs. Washington, DC, for example, ranks ninth -- better than Arizona but worse than Florida -- in pedestrian fatalities among those over age 65, according to AARP. (New York state is third worst, behind Hawaii and Alaska.)

With some 35 million members, AARP is a formidable lobby. As a member of the National Complete Streets Coalition and backer of legislation that would steer federal funds toward making roadways accessible to all users, it promises to be a player in next year's big transportation appropriations bill.

Photo: Tuan Phan/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Monday’s Headlines Get On the Bus

The New York Times has declared bus rapid transit the transportation mode of the future.

December 11, 2023

Feds One Step Closer to Requiring Safety Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries

Safety standards are fine, but the responsibility for securing better power packs will still fall on the lowest-paid workers in our city.

December 11, 2023

Op-Ed: Why It’s So Hard to Get a Simple Red Light Camera

A Los Angeles advocate requested automated enforcement on a street near her home. It wasn't easy.

December 11, 2023

Funding for Calif. Rail Projects: An Incomplete Roundup

Various federal, state, and local funding sources are lining up.

December 8, 2023
See all posts