City in motion

The Chico-metropolitan area placed 22nd in a ranking of the most “fitness-friendly” places in the U.S. in 2019, according to financial technology company SmartAsset. The study examined fast food availability; the percentage of people who walk or bike to work; the number of fitness professionals, such as nutritionists, recreational therapists, physical trainers and instructors; the number of fitness-related businesses, such as gyms and sporting goods stores; and the hourly cost of personal trainers.

Among the results: About 6 percent of commuters walk or bike, there are roughly 47 fitness professionals per 10,000 people in the workforce, and about 44 percent of restaurants are considered fast food.

Chico outranked Santa Rosa, but trailed behind the metropolitan areas of Napa, Santa Maria/Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz/Watsonville and San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles/Arroyo Grande.

La Crosse/Onalaska in the Wisconsin-Minnesota area and Missoula, Mont., ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Here are the regions that round out top 10:

3. Bend-Redmond, Ore.

4. Pittsfield, Mass.

5. Ann Arbor, Mich.

6. Iowa City, Iowa

7. State College, Pa.

8. Burlington- South Burlington, Vt.

9. Fort Collins, Colo.

10. Boulder, Colo.