Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC),
Washington State
Advocates need professional partners who share their vision for walkable bikeable communities.
Public Health staff at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) took note of emerging evidence that links physical activity levels to a community's land use and transportation environment. They were aware that scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) had shown interest in "active community environments" as a public health strategy. The DOH reviewed programs and approaches to catalyze built environment change processes. The crafted a program based on two key ingredients of citizen champions and educated transportation professionals. This program received funding as part of a statewide CDC "Obesity Grant" that ran from 2003 to 2008.