Bend seeks volunteers to count walkers, cyclists

Have you ever wondered how you could get a bike facility, sidewalk or street crossing on your favorite route?

It’s all about the data. And the city of Bend needs volunteers to collect that data.

The city prioritizes its limited resources to projects that provide the largest community benefit. So, the city is counting people who are walking and biking, using a consistent, nationally recognized data collection method.

The information collected will document current levels of walkers and cyclists, help us measure our progress towards increasing the number of people who walk and bike in the community, and help make the case for additional investments in pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is contributing to this effort by measuring walking and biking activity at signalized intersections in town. Bend Park and Recreation District is adding trail system counts. The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization synthesizes and analyzes the information.

The city is seeking volunteers to count key corridors. We intend to recruit 25 people to assist with counts scheduled for May. This program counts the same locations four times per year. Another opportunity to volunteer will be available in July.

Please consider helping collect walking and biking data. Pick your favorite spot to count by signing up online at: www.bendoregon.gov/bikepedcount

Volunteer opportunities are:

Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14

Each volunteer will be asked to:

Adopt a count location for May 2015.
View the training materials on line.
Conduct counts for a two-hour period on a weekday or Saturday (or both).