The Challenge: Regular physical activity promotes important health benefits and reduces risk for obesity, but many Americans live in communities that lack sidewalks, trails, bicycle paths and other infrastructure that support walking and bicycling.

Make an impact: Investments that support physical activity, like greenways, trails, sidewalks, traffic-calming devices and public transit, can create recreational opportunities, improve people’s health and lower health care costs.

What the findings are about: This brief reviews research showing how infrastructure investments and other transportation programs can help children and adults get more regular physical activity.