The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is seeking volunteers to help collect bicycle data for two hours at more than 300 locations throughout the city. Bike counting season begins on June 4 and volunteers can go online now to sign up for a location to count.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer at portland.gov/bicycle-counts.
For over 30 years, PBOT has been counting bikes across the city. In 1992, PBOT conducted one of the first counts at 20 intersections. As Portland’s bike network has grown, so too has the count. This summer, PBOT will be conducting bike counts at 334 locations across the city and enlisting the help of over 100 volunteers to make it happen.
The data volunteers collect allows PBOT to see how biking is changing over time and gives a more nuanced look at how the volume of people biking, gender make-up, helmet use, and e-bike adoption differs across the city. For example, in 2023, an analysis of the data collected by volunteers revealed that the number of people biking had increased by about 5% citywide compared to the previous summer. But in Northwest and East Portland—two areas that have seen substantial investments in bicycle infrastructure—biking was up by about 15% and 12%, respectively.
Volunteering for the bike count is easy and impactful. Simply select one or more available locations online and then spend two hours (typically 4-6 p.m., but occasionally 7-9 a.m., depending on the site) observing and recording people biking with the Bicycle Count Form. After the count, submit your data, and that’s it! Each site is counted once on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between June 4 and September 26. There are written instructions, a video training, and an in-person training for volunteers that cover the ins and outs of bike counting. All bike count resources are available at portland.gov/bicycle-counts.
The summer bike count has grown into a beloved tradition, with many volunteers returning year after year to help count sites. And every year, more volunteers help keep the tradition going. Volunteer for the 2024 bike count today!
For additional information and resources for biking in Portland, including planning your bike route, navigating Portland's streets by bike, maintaining your bike and free biking events visit www.portland.gov/transportation/walking-biking-transit-safety/biking-portland.
Ready to ride? Plan your route using PBOT's free interactive online bike map at www.portlandbikemap.com
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation