This document discusses potential policies and programs to promote happiness through increased exercise and time spent outdoors. It recommends (1) creating bike-friendly cities through bike rentals, bike lanes, and public transportation integration; (2) increasing urban green spaces through tree planting programs and guidelines; and (3) encouraging street vendors to make cities more walkable and social. Resources are provided on model bike-friendly and urban forestry programs as well as studies on street vendor regulation. The document advocates embracing exercise and active transportation in everyday life to improve happiness.

1. Pathways to Happiness
for the area of health
by improving our quality of
Exercise

2. Pathways to Happiness are ways
to increase our health
by improving our quality of exercise

3. We are
doing
well in
the area
of health
but with
some
decline
over the
years
100= happiest

4. A score of 40 and below means we are not satisfied, and of 60 and above means we feel satisfied with the quality of our exercies
Overall, our
satisfaction with our
quality of exercise
has gone down
over the years.

5. Courageous Policies

6. Bike Friendly Cities and Towns
Street side bike rental and sharing.
Bicycle superhighways and streets dedicated to bicycles on
certain hours.
Public transport that encourages bikers.

7. Resources Bike Friendly City and Towns
Model City Policies and Programs
Bike League Model Laws
http://bikeleague.org/content/model-legislation-0
Planning and Policy Models for Bicycle Friendly Communities in New York State
http://www.albany.edu/ihi/files/NY_Planning_And_Policy_Models_iHi.pdf
Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan – Sample Policies and Strategies
https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/BikePed/Mtg6_DraftSamplePolicies.pdf
Video
How Cities Can Encourage Exercise – The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/international/21663345-if-every-adult-did-25-hours-brisk-exercise-week-it-would-save-two-times-more-lives

8. Increase and Preserve Green Cover
Nature around use increases our sense of wellbeing & happiness
Trees and other plants have many other benefits:
Habitats
Carbon sequestration
Beauty
Property Values
Flood protection

9. Resources for Greencover in cities and towns
Example Programs:
Urban Tree Program – Sustainable Cities Initiative
http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/water-and-green-infrastructure/urban-forestry/urban-tree-program
Urban Forestry – City of Vancouver Program
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/urban-forestry
Tree Coupon Program – City of Tacoma
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?objectId=66710
Example Guidelines:
Guidelines for the Conservation, Development and Management of Urban Greens –
Government of India
http://envfor.nic.in/content/comments-invited-draft-guidelines-conservation-development-and-management-urban-greens

10. Encourage & Support Street Vendors
Street vendors make streets friendlier.
Increase street use and encourages people to take a stroll
as part of lunch or dinner time.
Encourages people to use their city more.

11. Resources for Encouraging and Supporting Street
Vendors
Comparative Study:
Developing National Street Vendor Legislation in India: A Comparative Study of Street
Vending Regulation - Government of India
https://law.yale.edu/system/files/documents/pdf/Clinics/TDC_ComparativeStudyStreetVending.pdf
Example Policies:
National Policy for Street Vendors
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4413453
Street Vendors and the Law from Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and
Organizing
http://www.wiego.org/informal_economy_law/street-vendors-and-law

12. What’s it going to take?

13. Embracing exercise as part of
everyday life, instead of a
separate activity.

14. Re-thinking transportaion
Demanding and using our feet and bikes for
transportation.

15. Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool series
Campaign finance reform
Guaranteed basic income
Media reform
Massive public transportation
Local food reliance
Village living (cities and rural)
Multi-use zoning
Public spaces
Political festivals
Participatory governance
Participatory budgeting
Anti-corruption policies
Transparency in government
Compassion training for police
Community-based monitoring
Sousveillance
Vote holiday
Vacation laws
Family & Sick leave laws
Flex time and job share laws
Telecommuting policies
Babies at work policies
Intergenerational care
Department of Neighborhoods
Volunteer programs
Conservation Easements
Expansion of Parks
Adult & Kid Park Programs
Parent Support Program
Self-Discovery Programs
Job Placement Programs
Urban Growth Boundary Ordinances
Urban Stream Daylighting
Green and Living building ordinances
Solar and Green Energy Development
Same Sex Marriage Laws
Public child care
Age-friendly cities
Loneliness awareness campaign
Heritage Programs
Rural Colleges
Arts & Culture Policy
Lifelong Learning Programs
War on Adult illiteracy
Low Cost & Tuition Free College
Mindfulness practice in schools
Social justice awareness raising
Mental health –priority counseling
Part time worker choice protection
Compassionate Charter & Games
Ban on Advertising to Children
Elimination of Food Deserts
Zero Waste Restaurant and Supermarket
Limits on Rates Charged by Credit Card Companies
College Loan Forgiveness
Savings Tax Incentives for Low and Middle Income
Investing in Engagement in Community Centers and Parks
Ordinances to Encourage and Reward Urban Agriculture
Comprehensive Plans for Walk able Cities and Towns
Encourage and Support Street Vendors
Bike Friendly Cities and Towns
Increase and Preserve Green Cover

16. We envision a world where all beings can thrive.
Can you envision it too?
happycounts.org