By replacing at least one short car ride per week with walking or biking, students can improve their health and possibly save their lives, said Mark Fenton in his presentation, “Walkable Communities.”

Fenton, host of the new PBS series “America’s Walking” and former member of the U.S. National Racewalk Team, presented this humorous lecture to a full Oak Room on Wednesday night.

“Most people think the key to getting a healthier population is getting people to go to the gym and exercise,” Fenton said. “That simply is not the case.”

Fenton said that by adding 30 minutes of walking or biking to a daily routine, adults can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes, even if the time is split up.

“We may now be raising the first generation in a century to have statistically shorter life expectancy than their parents,” Fenton said.

He explained that the sedentary lifestyle of Americans have both economic and environmental side effects. Because of an increasing dependence on oil for transportation, drilling in Alaska and air pollution have become a reality.

“Heath insurance costs are killing [companies] because of this sedentary lifestyle,” Fenton said.

By improving design, the proper physical behavior can be encouraged, Fenton said.

“In a lot of places in America, the network is incomplete,” Fenton said of street design. “The pedestrian is an afterthought.”

Andrew Makowski, sophomore in biology, said he felt that Ames was friendly to walkers.

“I live in University Village and walk to campus every day,” Makowski said.

Other lecture attendees expressed an interest in learning about building walkable communities.

“Being a student without a car, it will be nice to learn about [walkable communities,]” said Meghann Ney, sophomore in art and design.

Ney said she enjoys walking because it’s healthy and good for the environment.

Fenton addressed ways that the Ames community can improve its walkability.

“Increasingly, we’re asking the question: could [the lack of walking and biking] be due to a toxic environment?” Fenton said.

Fenton explained that a toxic environment was any environment that discouraged pedestrians from walking.

He added that by “retrofitting” old sites with landscaping, painted walkways and other pedestrian-friendly devices, communities can become more walkable.

Fenton said by pursing the “three P’s” – projects, policies and programs – individuals can encourage walkable communities through better designs.

“Your personal behavior alone is a meaningful impact,” he said.

He explained that by making small lifestyle changes, ISU students can help to save the next generation from health problems.