Portland Proves the Point

Oregon was the only state in the nation where obesity did not increase, according to the study by Trust for America's Health. Why? An AP story reports that Oregonians are more likely to engage in physical activity, like bike riding. Why? Mild temperatures help. But the real difference is that state's attention to creating real urban density and pedestrian- and bike-friendly urban design. As one bike commuter put it, "I get 45 minutes exercise every day without even thinking about it." That's the point. Design physical activity into the environment so that we don't have to "exercise" but we do it without thinking.