Boston Residents Walked 530 Miles in 2024
The city claimed the second spot nationally for average annual distance walked per resident.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Running
Live Poll
Should your local government increase investments in pedestrian and biking infrastructure?
Boston residents walked an average of 530 miles per person in 2024, significantly outpacing the national average of 151 miles. This performance helped the city rank second nationally in per-capita walking distance.
Why it matters
High levels of pedestrian activity reflect a city's urban layout and reliance on foot travel compared to automobile dependence. Differences between cities like Boston and top-ranked Orlando may be influenced by local tourism trends.
Boston residents averaged 530 miles walked annually in 2024, while also recording 40 miles of cycling per person. The city achieved a walking density of over 40,000 miles per square mile.
The players
Public Garden
This location is the busiest walking facility in Massachusetts.
Dr. Paul Dudley White Path
This path serves as the busiest biking facility in Massachusetts.
The details
The report utilized travel data to measure activity levels, identifying the Public Garden as the busiest walking facility in Massachusetts. Boston also ranked fourth in biking per square mile and 11th nationally for biking distance per person.
Timeline
The data collection for these metrics took place throughout 2024.
Season Trajectory
These figures define the baseline for Boston's pedestrian infrastructure usage in 2024. The city's standing suggests a strong competitive position in non-motorized transit utilization compared to other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Residents can utilize the Public Garden and the Dr. Paul Dudley White Path as the most heavily trafficked hubs for walking and biking respectively. These metrics confirm that Boston's urban core remains a primary corridor for high-volume pedestrian activity.
The takeaway
Boston's high per-capita walking figures highlight the importance of dense urban pathways for daily mobility. Residents living near high-traffic facilities like the Public Garden are at the center of the city's highest pedestrian volumes.
Further reading
Explore more local active transit trends in the Running section.
Live Poll
Should your local government increase investments in pedestrian and biking infrastructure?
