Commuter Statistics Info

[musgravecycles]

I'm involved with a project to promote the use of commuting or running errands on a bicycle instead of a car. I am looking for some stats to make our argument stronger...

Does anyone here have any good sources of information about this...

[flydhest]

lots of encouragement. I'd love to hear what anybody digs up. I can't imagine going back to commuting the "other" way. This opinion even after riding home at 9:00 pm after teaching class and getting drenched to the bone in a torrential downpour.

I haven't checked it recently, but the DC government is making lots of noise about encouraging bicycling. A year ago, I would have just laughed, but I have seen more and more bike lanes, especially downtown near the Convention Center for those who know the city, so they may be serious. You can check out:

http://www.ddot.dc.gov/ddot/cwp/view,a,1245,q,559639,ddotNav,|32399|.asp

and in particular, for data
http://www.ddot.dc.gov/ddot/frames.asp?doc=/ddot/lib/ddot/information/bicycle/pdf/commuting.pdf

(if the .pdf doesn't show up, check out:
http://www.ddot.dc.gov/ddot/cwp/view,a,1245,q,559835.asp#8 and look under "bicycle trip information")

[Kevan]

contact the editors of Bicycling for such data, or where to look.

Or the League of American Bicyclists.

[Matt Barkley]

The London Cycling Campaign has conducted a number of interesting commuting studies and fun "tests." Cheers - Matt

[Ray]

I did a bit of research for a bike plan I wrote in my previous life as a transportation planner. A key statistic that I used a LOT and fairly effectively is that nationally, approximately 63% of all automobile trips are five miles or less in length and nearly ½ (I think the actual number was 48 or 49%) are three miles or less. This was according to the 2000 census, although I don't remember exactly how I pieced the data together. I was surprised at the high percentages, given our nation's suburban development pattern, but they show that there are a LOT of trips out there that could be converted from car to bike if the facilities were there and when oil prices get high enough.

Good luck,

-Ray

[musgravecycles]

Ray,

That is EXACTLY the last piece I was looking for...

We're submitting a plan to Echoing Green for some of this stuff tomorrow...

[Kevan]

a city built on the flats would be a better selling point to cycle commuting:

http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages/BainCalif/cal400/steepst.jpg

[Rapid Tourist]

Isn't One Less Bike an advocacy organization for this type of thing? They have a website.

I spoke at length to a guy who is on the board of One Less Bike, who is an ardent commuter and bike enthusiast. He believes that folding bikes will in the future become a serious transportation option as suburbs move further out, gas becomes cost prohibitive, and people need to find practical options for getting to and from bus and subway lines.

Interesting stuff, but I digress.

[scrooge]

According to this months issue of Bicycling:
--commuting just one day a week, the average American (who drives 29 miles daily) would save $609 in gasoline, maintainance, and depreciation costs per year, reduce auto emissions by 24 pounds per week, and at a comfortable 12mph pace, burn 1315 calories (p 36)
Theres also a bunch of tips for beginners. you might also look in back issues from May, when then usually promote national bike to work day (of course, I never read bicycling, blah blah blah)

[Ray]

Isn't One Less Bike an advocacy organization for this type of thing? They have a website.

I spoke at length to a guy who is on the board of One Less Bike, who is an ardent commuter and bike enthusiast. He believes that folding bikes will in the future become a serious transportation option as suburbs move further out, gas becomes cost prohibitive, and people need to find practical options for getting to and from bus and subway lines.

Interesting stuff, but I digress.
Uhh, isn't it One Less CAR? I think they're after MORE bikes.

-Ray

[Sandy]

I was wondering about that.


Sandy

[Rapid Tourist]

Thank goodness for Ray and Sandy, who keep me from posting jibberish. Now if I only had you at work too. It is indeed One Less Car. :rolleyes:

[Fixed]

bro i got an idea (oh no) around here almost no one uses sidewalks but they seem to be everywhere I use them a lot there like trails in the city nice on a s.s.mt bike and no cars i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

[Ginger]

Oops...sorry I didn't see this before. Am I too late?

APPENDIX D – STATISTICAL DATA
How many people in the United States ride bikes on a regular basis?
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has recently initiated a series of monthly, transportationrelated
national surveys. In July of 2001, approximately one-in-four adults (49.4 million) in the
United States reported using a bicycle in the last 30 days. Of those people, 27 percent (13.2
million) used their bicycle on more than 10 of the previous 30 days.
Total riding 49,408,453 25 percent of national sample
1-2 days 15,546,260 31%
3-10 days 20,600,119 42%
11-19 days 7,972,153 16%
20 or more days 5,289,919 11%

Why do people ride?
The BTS survey found that in October 2000, the majority of people riding bicycles reported doing
so for recreation (54 percent) and exercise (35 percent). Seven percent reported commuting to work by bicycle as the primary use of the bicycle during the previous 30 days.
Similar numbers can be found in the:
Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 1995 Purpose of Bicycle Trips:
Earning a living 8% (compared to 20.3% for all modes)
Personal/Family business 22% (compared to 45.9% for all modes)
Social/Recreational 60% (compared to 24.9% for all modes)
School/church/civic 9% (compared to 8.8% for all modes)
National Sporting Goods Association, Purpose of Bicycle Trips:
Commuting 10%
Recreation 82%
Fitness 26%
Racing 1%
National Sporting Goods Association, Mountain Bicycling Roads and Trails:
Mountain Bicycling (On-road) 14.3 million users -5.6%
Mountain Bicycling (Off-road) 7.1 million users +4.0%
8
How many bicycles are purchased in the United States each year?
Figures compiled by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News from a variety of sources, show that in
1998 16.1 million bicycles were sold in the United States, of which 11.2 million were "adult"
bicycles with wheels greater than 20 inches. In recent years the number of adult bicycles sold (in
millions) has been:
Year Adult Child Total
1998 11.2 4.9 16.1
1997 11.0 4.8 15.8
1996 10.9 4.6 15.5
1995 12.0 4.0 16.0
1994 12.5 4.2 16.7
1993 13.0 4.0 17.0
1992 11.6 3.8 15.4
1991 11.6 3.5 15.1
1990 10.8
The Bicycle Market Research Institute estimates the total value of the overall US bicycle market
has grown from $3.6 billion in 1990 to $5.6 billion in 1998.
Support for bicycling and walking
A 1997 survey of US voters found strong support for Federal funding for bicycling. The survey,
by Lake, Sosin, Snell and Associates for the Bikes Belong! Campaign found that:
79 percent of voters described as "convincing" the message that "bike trails and lanes are
important to creating safe communities for our children", including 46 percent who found this
"very convincing". 37 percent of voters volunteered that safety concerns were the most important
reason for funding bike trails and lanes.
A 1994 survey of house-buying preferences, by American Lives, Inc., found that 74 percent of
homebuyers said the presence of walking and biking trails is very or extremely important in their
choice of location. This answer was fourth, behind "Quiet, low traffic area" at 93 percent,
"designed with cul-de-sac streets, circles and courts" at 77 percent, and "lots of natural, open
space" at 77 percent.
9

[musgravecycles]

Thanks Ginger, good stuff...
No you aren't too late...

[Ginger]

Glad to help. Sorry I was a touch late with it, and the information is starting to be a bit dated, perhaps there are newer studies out there. IMBA may have some source data, but the League of Michigan Cyclists should also. Good luck with your project!

Are you guys working on getting trails put in?