Northeast
Jersey City, NJ: It owes its high ranking to population density of over 13,000 per square mile and the high percentage of residents who walk to work - 8.6% or take mass transit. But Jersey City dwellers also rank high for exercise time and frequency.New York, NY: The city ranks high for many reasons, including being packed with museums, historic sites and landmarks. The study cites the wonderful fitness paths along the Hudson River, which I enjoyed during the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. You won't be alone walking - 9.3% walk to work.
Philadelphia, PA: Also packed with museums and historic sites, including a foot museum. It has the most podiatrists per capita, perhaps to serve the 37% of downtown residents who walk to work.
Midwest
Chicago, IL: Mass transit usage is the fifth highest in the nation. The lakefront is a walkers and bikers dream for 18 miles.Madison, WI: Ranks number 1 for those who bike to work and number 3 for those who walk to work. It also has a low crime rate.
St. Louis, MO: Scores well for museums and historic sites, including the Gateway Arch.
South
El Paso, TX: They walk further and more often on average than people in any other city - 20 walking sessions per months for 2.3 miles.San Antonio, TX: Great air quality and lots of walking paths may contribute to their high number walking sessions per month and time spent walking.
Washington, DC: Tops for museum attendance and high for historic landmarks, the National Mall is a walker's paradise of places to see, and the mass transit system makes it easy to get there and back.
West
Honolulu, HI: The sun, the surf, the high percentage of those who walk and bike to work.San Diego, CA: Places to see, a great climate to enjoy. San Diego ranks high for museum attendance.
San Francisco, CA: Number 1 for use of mass transit and very friendly for pedestrian advocates.
