Bicycling jumps 16% in Santa Barbara

Since 1997, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition has collected data on bicyclist presence and behavior at intersections mostly within the city of Santa Barbara. The 2009 survey was just completed on June 18, and it tells us that bicycling is increasing significantly:

• Compared with four prior years, bicycling has increased by 16%
• 3,861 people on bicycles were counted at 25 intersections this year
• 13,356 people were counted over four prior years at those same 25 intersections—an average of 3,339 per year
• 21 of 25 major intersections had an increase or no change.

All across the country, communities are reporting increases in the number of people bicycling. Several factors have been ascribed to the change in behavior—the higher cost of gasoline, the recession, an increasing awareness of emission-caused climate change, and a quest for fitness.

Add in increased government and business efforts to encourage sustainable transportation, plus community and advocacy groups and we'll have a revolutionary behavior shift.