Marin County Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts Show Significant Increase
County of Marin News Release, January 3, 2008
Contact: Craig Tackabery (415) 499-6582, ctackabery@co.marin.ca.us
Overall biking and walking activity countywide has increased significantly since 1999. A September, 2007 survey and count project revealed that, on average, the number of cyclists increased by 66% on weekdays and 33% on weekends when compared with a similar count conducted in 1999. Pedestrian activity on average increased 8% on weekdays, but decreased by 22% on weekends during the same period. Between the pedestrians and cyclists surveyed, by not driving for the trip counted they collectively saved over $10,000 in fuel costs and reduced CO2 emissions by 32 tons.
Supervisor Charles McGlashan commented, “This upsurge in biking and walking shows that giving people safe alternatives to the car can work in reducing auto trips and congestion. The automobile is not always the trip of choice when people see safe and readily available alternatives. People are already voting with their bikes and feet!”
Supervisor Steve Kinsey added, “These are encouraging statistics. They indicate that our priority focus and associated investments are improving biking and walking in our County. These results should inspire us to aggressively continue our efforts.”
On weekdays, the locations with the greatest number of cyclists during the peak hour between 4PM and 6 PM were Bridgeway at Princess in Sausalito (129) and the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path at Tam Valley (101). On weekends, the greatest numbers of cyclists during the peak hour between noon and 2 PM were counted at the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path at E. Blithedale (266), Broadway at Bolinas Road in Fairfax (167), and Tiburon Blvd and Main St. in Tiburon (154).
The highest levels of pedestrian activity occurred at the same locations over the weekday and weekend during the peak hours of the survey periods: 4th and B Streets in San Rafael (669 weekday/770 weekend), Bridgeway and Princess (348 weekday/303 weekend), and Tiburon Blvd. at Main St. (269 weekday/564 weekend).
Of the 22 locations where counts were taken, six were selected to conduct travel habit surveys of cyclists and pedestrians at those locations. The surveys asked about where people were coming from and going to, the frequency in which they walk or bike, whether the trip was for recreation or a utilitarian trip such as an errand or commuting, and the reason they selected that particular route, among others.
For cyclists, the surveys revealed that 67% were riding for exercise or recreation, 22% were commuting to work or school, and 18% were running errands or attending to personal business. If these riders were not able to bike to their destinations, 36% would drive instead, 14% would take transit, 18% would walk, and 28% would not make the trip at all. Sixty-one percent of pedestrians were walking for exercise or recreation, 19% were commuting to work or school, and 30% were running errands or attending to personal business. If not able to walk to their destinations, 36% would instead drive, 4% would carpool, 11% would take transit, 27% would bicycle, and 16% would not make the trip at all. Because many of the identified trips were for multiple purposes, the totals do not add up to 100%.
The counts and surveys are part of the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program’s evaluation where surveys and counts are being conducted to measure the Program’s effectiveness. Community-wide surveys conducted in fall of 2006 and the location-specific counts and surveys conducted in fall of 2007 establish the baseline condition. The same surveys and counts will be conducted again in fall of 2010 at the conclusion of the Pilot Program to evaluate the degree of change.
The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program is a federal transportation program which provides $25 million each to Marin County and three other communities in the Midwest to evaluate whether construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, along with educational and outreach programs, can encourage bicycling and walking as a means to reduce automobile trips.
The full report and further information about the program is available at the Pilot website
