Comments on: Counting Biking Counts

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:30:52 +0000

Thank you for your comment, John. You make an excellent point. There is much more to know about bicycling habits, demographics, and needs than counts alone can tell us. Could make a good future post.

By: John Madera

John Madera — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:54:47 +0000

I’m a planner. There’s no doubt that we need bicycle count data collected systematically and regularly. Bicycle count data alone, however,are insufficient to give us an accurate understanding of bicycling in our communities. Counts are a start; but alone, they don’t tell us much. How long are the trips? Was a second mode such as a transit bus or private car used? What is the trip purpose, and what is the destination? How do bicyclist demographics differ from the larger community? Counts, together with surveys of trips and users, complete the statistical picture necessary to build proper accomodation, show support and interest in bicycling, track growth, measure safety, and calulate health and air quality benefits. Such surveys, conducted by intercepting bicyclists or by random phoning of households, are expensive and technically complicated; and only larger communities will yield sufficiently large samples. Yet a small but growing number of cities and metropolitan regions have tackled this — notably Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Calgary. What’s now needed are national guidance and standards for the conduct of such surveys.

By: Anna Kelso

Anna Kelso — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:03:56 +0000

I would have been more interested in the snowmageddon bike count, but am impressed with your dedication to bike counting in the rain. It seems that a national standard for conducting bike counts is the best solution to the lack data provided from both the ACS and NHTS. Thanks for your commitment to quality data!