Prevention credited D.C.'s extensive public transportation system for making it one of the Top 25 walking cities in the country.
Metro can pretty much take you anywhere you need to go for work, to visit friends and family, or to explore the city's history and attractions by foot.
Plus, the city's strict punishment for striking pedestrians in crosswalks keeps drivers alert to foot traffic. OK, maybe not, but if walkers keep themselves alert -- and spry -- they can hoof around the District in relative safety. During the day, at least.
Do pedestrians even deserve motorists' consideration around crosswalks, considering all the blind jaywalking that's decreasing the lifespan of break pads in the city?
Drivers and pedestrians in D.C. can agree on one thing, though: Bicyclists are a menace to city traffic of all kinds.
Cities were evaluated for Prevention's annual survey with the American Podiatric Medical Association and Sperling's Best Places on 19 criteria, including population density, mass transit, crime rates and miles of parks.
Baltimore finished 16th for its 3-mile Heritage Walk, a tour linking 20 historic sties and museums.
San Francisco topped the list:
- San Francisco
- Boston
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
- Washington
- Seattle
- Honolulu
- Portland
- Pittsburgh
- Oakland
- Minneapolis
- San Diego
- Los Angeles
- Milwaukee
- Baltimore
- Rochester
- Santa Ana
- San Jose
- Denver
- Columbus
- New Orleans
- Austin
- Sacramento
- Tucson
Let the pedestrians v. drivers (v. bicyclists) debate begin in the comments section below:
