Do you bike to work? If so, do you wear a helmet? Are you riding on the sidewalk, or riding the wrong way down a street?
Those are just a couple of the metrics the Pima Association of Governments tracks during its annual bike and pedestrian count. Transportation Planning Director Paul Casertano says the goal is to gather data about how many so-called “vulnerable users” are out on Tucson streets. The count also takes note of age, gender, and direction of travel.
“We’re collecting information about some of the patterns at various locations around the region in order to better understand some of the trends associated with bicycling and pedestrians, as well as site specific issues that may be happening,” Casertano said.
The Pima Association of Governments relies on staff and volunteers to do the counting at 80 locations. The survey has been ongoing since 2008, and has shown a steady increase in bike and pedestrian activity throughout the region.
“Some locations are growing a little faster than others. As you can imagine, we see tremendous activity around UA where parking is an issue and there’s a high level of pedestrian and bicycle activity,” Casertano said.
Casertano says the data helps guide long-range planning efforts, road improvements and investments for bikes and pedestrians.
