Bikes Count! Volunteers Needed for Annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Count

Data is important in the transportation world and there is a significant lack of documentation regarding bicycle use. This is why WSDOT’s annual bicycle and pedestrian count is important.

Cyclists offload at Colman Dock Ferry Terminal.

WSDOT is preparing for its eighth annual survey September 29 through October 1. The state agency and Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like Feet First and Washington Bikes to help count the number of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other facilities. Counts will be taken in a least 38 cities throughout the state.

“Counting bicyclists and pedestrians helps us more accurately measure demand, gauge the results of our investments and plan for future improvement projects,” said Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson. “We couldn’t document the number of people walking and biking without the help of many volunteers from across the state.”

Get involved

Those interested in helping can learn more by visiting WSDOT’s survey website, or by contacting Cascade Bicycle Club at cpa@cascadebicycleclub.org or calling 206-861-9890.

WSDOT and the Cascade Bicycle Club are asking volunteers from across the state to perform the counts in participating cities including: Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Burien, Ellensburg, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kelso, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Longview, Mercer Island, Milton, Mountlake Terrace, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Orting, Parkland, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Shoreline, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, Vancouver, Vashon Island, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima.

WSDOT’s count is part of the National Documentation Project, an annual bicycle and pedestrian count and survey effort that is sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council. The count will also help measure WSDOT’s progress toward the goal of increasing bicycling and walking while reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.

Permanent Bicycle Data Collection

Washington Bikes has partnered with WSDOT on a project to install approximately 50 permanent bike counters statewide. Safe connections for biking can’t come fast enough. The bike counter network, combined with the annual survey information, will help provide important data to improve safety and to make data-driven decisions about smart investments.