Three weeks ago, about 100 Albert Lea community members discussed a number of great ideas submitted both by residents and national walking expert Dan Burden about how to make Albert Lea a more active city. People drew new potential bike trails, mapped sidewalk gaps, identified safety strategies, and trained walking school bus leaders.

During the discussion, two persistent questions came up.

Question 1. Why the focus on biking and walking?

The research and science behind the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project shows that we can all live longer, better if we set up our living environment — homes, offices, neighborhoods, and town — to make the healthy choice the easy choice. This is the lesson from Blue Zones around the world. Our physical environment profoundly influences our health; more than diets, gym memberships, etc.

Examples abound. A task force sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a list of reviews about strategies to mitigate and/or help prevent chronic disease on a large scale.

Most dramatic was the CDC’s review of six studies which found a 35 percent increase in physical activity due to the municipal investment in things like improved street lighting, infrastructure projects to increase safety of street crossing, use of traffic calming approaches (e.g., speed humps, traffic circles), and enhancing street landscaping.

Thirty-five percent increase in physical activity! What would that mean for you, your family, your friends?

In thinking about children, the statistics are even more startling. According to a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency called “Travel and Environmental Implications of School Siting,” research indicates that children benefit from the availability of safe routes to walk to school. Unfortunately, the percentage of kids who walk or bicycle to school has fallen from 48 percent to 13 percent.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the biggest barriers to walking are poor walking environment, travel time, and safety. Not surprisingly, childhood obesity rates have soared over the past 40 years.

This is why the Vitality Project is promoting fixing sidewalk gaps and starting a Walking School Bus program this May. The walking school bus involves people of all ages in the community walking with kids to school along set routes. A group of Albert Lea volunteers is creating this safe and sociable way for kids to walk to school, escorted by adults and elders.

Phase One of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project focuses first on the physical environment of Albert Lea because these changes take the longest. Time was needed to bring in a top expert to listen to citizens, research and write a report, and then gather us to identify priorities. Next we need detailed engineering drawings and to find funds to implement the most impactful projects. When we succeed, by the end of this summer, Albert Lea will be on its way to being a town where walking and biking are easier and safer choices.

Question 2. Is there more to the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project?

The answer is yes! On May 14, at 7 p.m. at Albert Lea High School, Phase 2 of the Vitality Project begins. In this phase you are encouraged to sign up for the project and learn ways to personally increase your longevity.

Many options will be available. For example: top food expert Dr. Brian Wansink will teach and inspire you to improve your home or work place to make the healthy choices the easy choices. Other events will introduce you to people in town who share your interests in living better. Why? Studies show having supportive friends is about the most powerful environment possible for health.

Bottom line: This summer there will be a terrific menu of fun activities for you through the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project. To see the list, come to the Phase 2 launch on May 14. Get your personal pledge packet, sign up, and start living longer, better.

Joel Spoonheim is the director of health initiatives for the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project.