Report: Walking, biking access makes San Francisco healthy place

San Francisco ranks 8th in the country for people trying to live a healthy life, with walking and biking playing a role in the city's score, according to a new report from Co-working Cafe.

The study analyzes 10 health-related metrics using Census Bureau data and other authoritative sources to rank U.S. cities that support healthy living. 

San Francisco "supports an active lifestyle in multiple ways — residents can choose from 252 fitness centers, enjoy the most walkable streets in the country, or cycle along an extensive bike network," the report notes.

“Our earlier work on active commuting found that flexible work schedules, shorter distances to work, and urban residence were associated with increased odds of walking or biking to work,” said Tyler Quinn, assistant professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics of West Virginia University’s School of Public Health, report contributor.

Report data-points that make San Francisco one of the best cities for living a healthy life:

• San Francisco ranks as the 8th best city for healthy living in the United States, while being the third best in the West
• It is tops in walkability nationwide while having optimal conditions for cycling (3rd highest bike score) and the 6th best network of parks
• The city has the 3rd highest health insurance coverage (96.5%)
• San Francisco also offers the 6th highest density of offices that provide mental health services – 23 practitioners per 100,000 residents
• The city boasts the 8th highest density of places where residents can buy healthy food — supermarkets, grocery stores and specialty stores (57 establishments per 100k residents)