Bicycle Information

2007 Downtown Bicycle Count Results
The 2007 Downtown Bicycle Counts took place on Wednesday, September 19. Volunteers were out on the streets counting cyclists from 6:30 to 9:00 AM at the 29 locations surrounding downtown. Click here to see a map of the count locations.

Click here to see the Results, which show the total number of bicyclists passing each location in 2007 as well as in 1992, 1995 and 2000. The results show a 31% increase since the 2000 counts, with a total of 2,273 bicyclists being counted in 2007.

Bikes on Buses Program

If you would like to ride a bus while traveling with your bicycle, you now can do so -- at no additional cost! Metro has installed bike racks on the front of all its buses, providing a convenient way to "bike-and-ride." You may load and unload your bicycle at any Metro bus stop except within the Ride Free Area in downtown Seattle between 6 AM and 7 PM. During these hours, loading/unloading bikes is restricted to a route's first and last ride free stop and the tunnel stops at Convention Place and International District. This is a safety policy to reduce the potential of many cyclists being between two buses in heavy downtown traffic. For further information on Metro's Bike & Ride program, visit their web site or call (206) 553-3000.

For more information about the Seattle Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, call (206) 684-7583.

Use a Helmet When You Ride a Bike - It's the law!

Head injuries cause about three-fourths of the 800-900 deaths resulting from bicycling-related accidents in the U.S. each year. According to a study conducted by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, helmets that meet ANSI or Snell standards can cut the risk of riders' head injuries by 85%.

For more information, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in Washington, D.C.

Bicycle Facts and Statistics

Estimated number of cyclists in the U.S. who bicycled to work at least once a week last year: 3.2 million

Percentage increase since 1985: 100

Estimated number of participants during Bike to Work Day (2004) in King County: 10,000+

Number of times cyclists put their bikes on Metro buses every year: 300,000+

Number of times cyclists forgot to take their bicycles off the bus: 353

Number of free Seattle Bicycling Guide Maps distributed in 2004 and 2005: 50,000+

Number of cyclists biking to/from the downtown central business district between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2000: 1,737

Percentage increase since 1992: 57%

Number of cyclists at the Seattle Ferry Terminal: 295

Number of downtown bike commuters who are female: 467

Percentage increase since since 2000: 28%

Number of bicyclists wearing a helmet in 1992: 71%

Number of bicyclists wearing a helmet in 2000: 82%

Number of bicyclists wearing a helmet in 2007: 89%

Calories burned by a 130-pound cyclist pedaling 14 miles in an hour: 402

Calories burned by a 180-pound cyclist pedaling 14 miles in an hour: 540

Ratio of street to bike trail in Seattle: 45:1

Miles of shared use paths in Seattle: 32

Miles of striped bike lanes in Seattle: 24

Miles of signed bike routes in Seattle: 90 (number out of date - signed route system being updated and revised)

Time to drive from University District to Pike Place Market in light traffic: 15 minutes

Driving time during rush hour: 35 minutes

Cycling time, moderate pace: 30 minutes

Time to park car: 5 - 25 minutes

Time to park and lock bike: 1 minute

Cost to purchase and install one bike parking rack: $150

Number of bikes which can be parked in one car parking space in a paved lot: 6 - 20

Number of bicycle racks on public sidewalks in Seattle: 2,300

Estimated cost of constructing one parking space in a paved lot: $2,200

Estimated cost of constructing one parking space in a garage: $12,500

Estimated construction of Park and Ride Costs: $17,000 per stall for surface lots, and $25,000 per stall for structured parking (per King County Transit Planning)

Number of miles cycled yearly by average bike commuter: 1,992

Remember to Use Your Hand Signals!

	Right Turn Signal

For more information about the Seattle Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, call (206) 684-7583.