Summary of Evidence for Proposed Strategies. The City of Wichita believes that the proposed strategies will reduce the rate of obesity in Wichita by increasing the amount of bicycling as a result of • improving both the safety and perception of safety of bicycling in Wichita; and • increasing both the awareness and convenience of recommended bicycle routes. Increasing amounts of bicycling will decrease the rate of obesity in Wichita. Bicycling is a form of transportation and can be integrated in to daily activity. Making physical activity an integral and routine part of life is recommended as a way in preventing obesity (Institute of Medicine). Below is an overview of the evidence to support the proposed strategies and why the City believes that the strategies are evidence-based. The Bicycle Route Wayfinding Strategy will help to increase levels of bicycling (physical activity) and reduce the level of obesity in the community by: increasing both the awareness of and the convenience of users on recommended bicycle routes; and by improving the comfort and safety of people bicycling. The experiences of communities across the country show that bicycle route wayfinding is an effective and recommend method for increasing the awareness of and convenience of users on recommended bicycle routes. It is recommended as a best practice based on the experience of communities across the country in both the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide and the American Association of State Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. Bicycle wayfinding is widely recognized as a component of comprehensive interventions that works in tandem with other mutually supportive policies to facilitate bicycling. Case studies of cities that have employed comprehensive case studies have shown that cities can dramatically increase bicycling levels while also improving bicycle safety (Xxxx Xxxxxx, 2009). In 2011, the CDC funded more than 450 bicycle and pedestrian wayfinding signs in several Minneapolis neighborhoods (City of Minneapolis). The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wayfinding to direct bicyclists to the most direct route as a strategy to promote active transportation. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Bicycle route wayfinding can also improve the perceived and actual safety of people bicycling by guiding them to preferred bicycle routes such as local streets (streets with lower motor vehicle traffic volume...
Summary of Evidence for Proposed Strategies. (up to three single-spaced pages) Provide an overview of the evidence to support the proposed strategies. Describe why applicant organization believes the proposed strategies are “evidence-based.” Cite reports, publications or evaluation findings that support the proposed strategies.
