Boston commuters' feet are first
Boston commuters are the likeliest in the nation to walk to work, but they are next to last in carpooling, according to new data from the US Census Bureau.
"I actually know more people who walk to work now than I did a few years ago," said Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston, a walking advocacy group. "It's based on people making choices about adding physical activities into their regular daily activities."
About 12 1/2 percent of workers hoof it, according to the study. Landman said the city's top ranking among the 50 cities with the biggest workforces might be a result of empty nesters returning from the suburbs and leaving their cars behind.
Boston ranked 49th in carpooling, with 43 percent of drivers motoring alone.
The 2005 figures are the latest released as part of the bureau's American Community Survey .
While nearly 5 percent nationwide used public transport to get to work, 32 percent of Boston residents used public transit, ranking fourth in the nation.
In Boston, about 3 percent work at home .
Despite Boston's reputation as unfriendly to bicyclists, Boston ranked 13th in the nation for pedaling to work.
MAC DANIEL 