Trends: Americans are Walking Way Less

A shocking new study shows how sedentary we are becoming

Americans have reduced their walking by a whopping 36% between 2019 and 2022, according to a study conducted by StreetLight. Every state in the U.S. saw a drop in daily average walking trips, although colder states such as North Dakota, Ohio and Minnesota have seen larger declines compared to warmer states like California and Arizona. 

"In every metro and state that StreetLight analyzed, walking trips declined over the three-year period by at least 20%," the report reads. 

The study regarded a "walking trip" as travel by foot that is more than 250 meters — about 820 feet. StreetLight used data from anonymized GPS tracking devices such as smartwatches, smartphones, and vehicle GPS systems.

• Insight: Vehicle transportation only declined ~4% from 2019 to 2022.

The study cites remote work and a decline in activity in downtowns as factors in the sharp drop.

States that walk the most

• District of Columbia

• New York

• New Jersey

• Nevada

States that walk the least

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• Tennessee

Defying the norm

Three…