The research process took place in three stages. The initial stage was to organize, contact and update the existing pedestrian groups from an existing list complied by NYS DOH Healthy Heart Program. The next stage was finding out what other pedestrian groups could be added to the list. Efforts were made to contact the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators both on the
Metropolitan Planning Organization and
NYS Department of Transportation level for each region as a means to gather these additional contacts.
An extensive web
search on pedestrian groups was also conducted, searching directly for pedestrian group websites, online periodicals for community activities and events, existing national and local advocacy groups, and contacts from list of participants in government programs. The last stage was collecting and analyzing data from the Pedestrian Group Survey which is a simple six question survey asking if the pedestrian group (1) wanted to contact information on other groups in the state, (2) was aware of programs or resources available, (3) would be interested in training on walkable communities and (4) had any additional comments. The survey was deployed first by e-mail if there was e-mail contact information. If the respondent didn't respond within a week efforts to contact them by phone was made. Of the 50 surveys that were sent out 28 groups responded. (56% response rate)
