The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center(PBIC), with support from U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FedEx, officially launched Walk Friendly Communities(WFC), a national recognition program to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for safe walking.  WFC willuse a comprehensive assessment tool to evaluate communities' commitment to improve conditions related to walking -- including safety, mobility, access, and comfort -- and will recognize communities that excel in fostering and accommodating walking.  Having concluded a pilot program in nine cities to test the online assessment tool, the program will begin accepting applications from communities around the country on November 1, 2010.

Secretary LaHood said of the program, “This initiative will [give] Americans more choices that foster active, livable communities … by improving pedestrian safety in areas across the country and providing a safe means of walking in and around their neighborhood."