The state is looking for volunteers in communities in Seattle and across the state to help count the number of people who walk or bike to their destinations.

The information being gathered this fall will be used to track progress toward the state’s goal of increasing bicycling and walking in Washington and reducing the number of vehicle miles driven, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. 



The department of transportation and the Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like FeetFirst and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to count the numbers of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks and other facilities on Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1.



“We had a great turnout of volunteers in 2008,” said Ian Macek, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for the state. “This effort can not be done without their help, so we hope to see an increase in volunteer support this year.” 



The transportation department is doing this as part of the National Documentation Project, an annual bicycle and pedestrian count and survey effort sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, and to determine progress toward its goal of increasing non-motorized trips. 



The Cascade Bicycle Club is using its network of members and other volunteers to perform the counts in selected cities.

Visit this Web site or contact Cascade Bicycle Club at organizer@cascadebicycleclub.org or calling 206-957-0689. 



A follow-up trends report will be available in January 2010 at http://wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Count.htm.

Read the 2008 Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Report here.