Bicycle & Pedestrian Counts

One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on how many people are cycling and walking and what the demand for cycling and walking would be in various circumstances. Without accurate and consistent figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments, especially when compared to other types of transportation such as the private automobile.

To address this shortcoming, MORPC has conducted bicycle and pedestrian counts twice annually since 2005. The next Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

MORPC will organize volunteers to tally pedestrians, bicyclists, mobility aid users, and other non-motor-vehicle traffic at various locations in central Ohio. There will be two count periods, a morning peak-hour count (7:00 – 9:00 a.m.) and an off-peak midday count (11:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.). The data collection serves the goals of MORPC’s Complete Streets policy as well as the recommendations of the USDOT’s policy statement on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation.

MORPC's pedestrian and bicycle counts are part of a broader initiative known as the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (NBPD). This project was developed by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council and proposes the following objectives:

1. Establish a consistent national approach to counting and surveying bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

2. Establish a national database of bicycle and pedestrian count information.

3. Use the count and survey information to begin analysis on the correlations between various factors and bicycle and pedestrian activity.

Data from MORPC's previous pedestrian and bicycle counts (2005-2010) can now be downloaded in a single file here (Excel format).

The count location map shows the locations in the central Ohio area where counts have taken place.

Reports from past Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts

2005
2006
2007 May
2007 July
2007 September
2008 May
2008 September
2009 May
2009 September
2010 May
2010 September

MORPC recently completed a trail count study in partnership with the City of Columbus and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The study documents usage at several Columbus trail locations, from 2010 to 2012. 

• Columbus Trail Count Report

Also, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has studied trail usage on the Alum Creek and Blacklick Creek Trails. The results of those studies are linked below:

• Alum Creek Trail 2011 Count
• Alum Creek Trail 2010 Count
• Blacklick Creek Trail 2010 Count, north of U.S. 33
• Blacklick Creek Trail 2010 Count, south of U.S. 33

For more information contact Joe Fish at (614) 233-4123 or jfish@morpc.org.