$1.2 Billion on Cycling and Walking Initiatives

The Obama administration more than doubled spending on cycling and walking initiatives to $1.2 billion last year as it seeks to encourage healthy life styles.

Spending on biking and walking projects rose from less than $600 million in 2008, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Twenty years ago, the federal government was spending only $6 million a year on such projects.

The spending on biking and walking projects was scheduled to rise last year anyway, but the administration boosted it with $400 million in funds set aside under the economic recovery program.