Bicycle survey under way in 35 cities in state

Vancouver is one of several cities where bicyclists and pedestrians are being counted as part of the annual Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. The Washington State Department of Transportation is relying on volunteers to staff specific locations and make counts during certain hours Tuesday, Wednesday and today.

Cyclists and pedestrians are also being counted in Longview and Kelso. For more information, visit Bicycle in Washington.

OLYMPIA — A survey of bicycle riders and pedestrians is under way this week in 35 cities across Washington.

The information from volunteers coordinated through the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle will help the state Transportation Department in designing projects and improving safety.

The department’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator in Olympia, Ian Macek, says this is the fifth year for the survey. And the number of locations where volunteers with clipboards are keeping tally has grown from 100 to 375.

This year the survey is also collecting information about gender and helmet use.

Results from the count on Tuesday, Wednesday and today should be compiled by early next year.

Macek calls it a snapshot in time. He was out Wednesday morning in downtown Olympia and counted 21 bicyclists and 220 pedestrians.