Annual survey needs volunteers throughout WA to count bicyclists and pedestrians

Volunteers are needed in communities across the state to help count the number of people who walk or bike to their destinations. The information being gathered this fall will be used to track progress toward the state’s goal of increasing bicycling and walking in Washington and reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like FeetFirst and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to count the numbers of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other facilities on Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1.

“We had a great turnout of volunteers in 2008,” said Ian Macek, WSDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator. “This effort can not be done without their help, so we hope to see an increase in volunteer support this year.”

WSDOT is doing this as 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, and to determine progress toward its goal of increasing non-motorized trips.

Cascade Bicycle Club is using its network of members and other volunteers to perform the counts in selected cities (Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Ellensburg, Everett, Issaquah, Kelso, Kent, Kirkland, Longview, Olympia, Redmond, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, Tukwila, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima). Those who are interested in helping can learn more by visiting WSDOT’s Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Count.htm, or by contacting Cascade Bicycle Club at organizer@cascadebicycleclub.org or calling 206-957-0689.

For more information contact: Ian Macek, WSDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, 360-705-7596

A follow-up trends report will be available in January 2010 at www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Count.htm.

Note: Communities that participated in the 2008 count included Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Ellensburg, Everett, Kent, Kirkland, Longview, Olympia, Richland, Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima. Communities added in 2009 include Issaquah, Kelso, Redmond and Tukwila.

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.