How many people bike and walk to work? Let’s count them

Published 1:30 am Thursday, August 30, 2018

EVERETT — For many commuters, it’s a daily grind of grabbing car keys then zooming off to work, rocking to music or chattering on the phone to fill the dead time behind the wheel.

Others pedal or hoof it to a different tune: the wind, the birds, the burning of calories.

Upon arrival, they don’t have to do vulture circles around a parking lot to find a space, or pay for the privilege.

Andy Winslow, a programmer/analyst, parks in Snohomish County’s free employee bicycle garage after making the 1.5-mile ride downtown from his home near Forest Park.

It’s six minutes by bike, about the same by car.

“It’s a good way to get exercise instead of just sitting in the car,” said Winslow, 59. “It’s actually faster. I get to see the scenery and get fresh air.”

He joins a growing number who walk, ride bicycles or use other alternative means of transportation.

Every year, there’s a tally across the state. For three days, volunteers at selected sites count the number of people who walk or ride bicycles.

About 400 people are needed for this year’s survey Sept. 25, 26 and 27. Shifts are 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., typical commute times.

(It’s OK if you drive to the site to volunteer. Nobody will judge you.)

The count is by the state Department of Transportation and Cascade Bicycle Club, partnering with FeetFirst, Washington Bikes and Futurewise.

“This data is critical for making project decisions as well as improving safety for people who walk and bike,” said Ed Spilker, WSDOT bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. “This wouldn’t happen without volunteers. We welcome anyone who is interested.”

There are 18 established sites in Snohomish County, including trails, neighborhood streets and arterials, he said. “We try to make it open. That way we can get a better cross-section. Volunteers can propose sites but we also have sites.”

For the 2017 count, volunteers tallied more than 63,500 people biking and walking, a 4 percent increase over 2016 at comparable sites.

“In the 11 years, we’ve seen roughly a 3 percent increase year over year,” Spilker said.

Data collected is used by state and local agencies to estimate demand and to improve policies and projects.

Winslow said about 15 cyclists park in the county garage, where there’s also a locker room to change and store gear. “There’s a guy who commutes from Camano, and another guy from Whidbey from the ferry dock,” he said.

For Winslow, the work ride is just a warm-up. He averages 132 miles a week on his cyclocross bike. Several times a week he cycles to Snohomish after work and also races off-road with a team.

Sometimes at lunch he bikes to the gym for spin class, indoor cycling on a stationery bike.

“It’s controlled and you don’t have to worry about cars,” he said.

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter @reporterbrown.

Want to count?

Sign up at bikepedcount.wsdot.wa.gov.