Study Shows Big Jump in Seattle Bike Commuters

From the City of Seattle

SEATTLE - The number of bicyclist entering downtown during the morning commute jumped 31 percent since 2000, according to a recent count released today by the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“More and more people are choosing to leave the car in the garage and find a different way to get to work,” said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. “We are making it easier and safer to get around Seattle by walking and biking and we are starting to see the results. By taking a bike instead of a car, people are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and leaving the city and the planet a better place.”

“We are building a true transportation network in Seattle, one that recognizes that there really is more than one way to travel through this city,” said Grace Crunican, director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “This increase in bike commuters is great news. We know that the safer and easier you make it to ride a bike in Seattle, the more people will do it.”

For the downtown survey, volunteers at 29 locations recorded the number of bicyclists passing by, counting 2,273 during the morning commute. The top five locations for bicyclists to enter the Center City are, in order: Dexter Avenue N, Colman Dock, the Alaskan Way Path, the Elliot Bay Path, and Pine Street. The complete results of the 2007 Downtown Bicycle Counts can be viewed at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikeinfo.htm.