Walkers, bicyclists to be counted

Published 9:13 am Monday, August 31, 2015

Volunteers are needed to help count Washington’s cyclists and walkers this fall.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will again conduct its annual count of bicyclists and pedestrians from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, and help is needed for the tally on Bainbridge Island.

More than 72,000 bicyclists and pedestrians were counted by volunteers across Washington during a three-day survey in 2014. State officials said roughly 400 volunteers will again be needed this fall to count the number of people who ride bike or walk to their destinations.

Volunteer registration has started.

“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.”

For this eighth annual survey, the state Department of Transportation and the Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like FeetFirst and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to help count the number of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and beyond from Tuesday, Sept. 29, through Thursday, Oct. 1. Counts will be taken in at least 38 cities throughout the state.

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

The Washington tally 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 Washington’s progress toward the goal of increasing bicycling and walking while reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.