2012 Bicycle Participation Survey

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 1

Methodology
Interactive Voice Response Random Digit Dial Telephone survey 2012 Survey 600 total interviews; Margin of Error +4.0 points Conducted April 17th 19th, 2012 2011 Survey 823 total interviews, Margin of Error +3.4 points Conducted April 17th 18th, 2011 Weighted to accurately reflect adult population based on key city of Seattle Census demographics
Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 2

Key Findings
Four-in-ten (40%) Seattle residents say they do have access to a working bicycle. This is down from 49% in 2011, but it is not yet clear if this is a trend or a result of sample variance. Residents who have access to a working bicycle are more likely to be white, male, and under 45 years of age. Older residents and non-white residents are the least likely to have access to a working bicycle. Among residents with access to a working bicycle, 13% are regular riders, about half (46%) are occasional riders, and 40% rarely ride. These numbers are essentially unchanged from 2011. Among those who ride a few times a year or more, two-thirds (66%) primarily ride for recreation and one third primarily ride as a way to get to a destination (34%). These results are the same as in 2011. Three-fourths (72%) of destination riders are riding 5 miles or less and a majority (54%) are using bike lanes for most of their riding. A majority (54%) of recreational rides also tend to ride 5 miles or less, but one-fourth (26%) ride 10 or more miles on average. Recreational riders are more likely to use neighborhood streets (43%) or off-street trails (31%). Weather (28%), safety (25%), lack of interest (23%) and hilly terrain (18%) all contribute to not riding more often. Not feeling safe riding is as much of a reason for not riding more often as the weather. Destination riders are more likely to mention safety (31%) and recreational riders are more likely to mention weather (39%).

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 3

2012 Access to Bicycle

Do you currently own or have access to a working bicycle? All Respondents

Percent who Have Access by specific demographic

No Access 60%

Have Access 40%

35-44 M <45 White 45-54 Male <45 25-34 F <45 M 45+ 45+ Female F 45+ 55-64 16-24 65+ Non-white

49% 46% 43% 43% 43% 42% 41% 38% 37% 37% 37% 36% 36% 33% 30% 30%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 4

Access to bicycle by Year

Q5. Do you currently own or have access to a working bicycle?

2011

2012

No access 51%

Have access 49%

No access 60%

Have access 40%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 5

Riding Frequency
Q6. On average, how often do you ride your bicycle?

2011
Among those who have access to a bicycle
n=405; Margin of Error = 4.8 points

2012
Among those who have access to a bicycle
n=239; Margin of Error = 6.3 points

43%

40%

24% 18% 10% 4%

26% 20%

5% 1%

8% 1%

Never or Ride a few Ride a few Ride a few Ride daily Not sure almost times a times a times a never ride year month week your bicycle

Never or Ride a few Ride a few Ride a few Ride daily Not sure almost times a times a times a never ride year month week your bicycle

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 6

Destination vs. Recreation

Q7. Would you say you primarily ride your bicycle as a way to get to a destination or do you ride more for general recreation?

2011
Ride a few times a year or more
n=232; Margin of Error = 6.4 points

2012
Ride a few times a year or more
n=143; Margin of Error = 8.2 points

To get to a destination 32%

To get to a destination 34% General recreation 66%

General recreation 68%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 7

Average Distance
Q8. What is the average distance in miles of a typical bicycle trip for you? (not asked in 2011)

2012
Ride a few times a year or more
n=143; Margin of Error = 8.2 points

36%

22%

19%

19%

3% Two miles or less Two to five miles Six to ten miles More than ten miles 2012 Not sure Slide 8

Seattle Department of Transportation

Bicycle Routes
Q9. When riding in Seattle, do you mostly use routes on neighborhood streets without bike lanes, arterial streets with bike lanes, or use off street trails? (not asked in 2011)

2012
Ride a few times a year or more
n=143; Margin of Error = 8.2 points

Neighborhood streets without bike lanes

39%

Arterial streets with bike lanes

29%

Off street trails

24%

Not sure

8%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 9

Barriers to Riding
Q10. What would you say is the biggest reason you do not ride more often, the weather, the hilly terrain, you dont feel safe riding, or youre just not that interested in riding more often? (not asked in 2011)

2012
Ride a few times a year or more
n=239; Margin of Error = 6.3 points

The weather Dont feel safe riding Not that interested in riding more often The hilly terrain Not sure Seattle Department of Transportation 6% 2012 18% 25% 23%

28%

Slide 10

Recreation vs. Destination Riders

<2 miles 2 to 5 miles 6 to 10 miles 10 + miles Not Sure
0% 5% 26% 4% 17% 22% 19% 24% 28% 54%

Destination Riders Recreation Riders

31% 43%

Neighborhood streets w/out bike lanes Arterial streets w/ bike lanes Off treet trails Not Sure
4% 10% 11% 16%

54% 31%

Weather Hilly terrain Don't feel safe Not interested

14% 19% 17%

28% 27% 31% 25%

39%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 11

Demographics of Respondents
Male Female 16 to 24 years old 25 to 34 years old 35 to 44 years old 45 to 54 years old 55 to 64 years old 65 years or older African American White or Caucasian Hispanic or Latino Asian Other
8% 72% 2% 13% 5% 13% 26% 20% 16% 13% 13% 50% 50%

Seattle Department of Transportation

2012

Slide 12