For the Reporter

Calling all volunteers: It’s not too late to help with Washington’s seventh annual bicycle and pedestrian count taking place Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in cities across the state.

In 2013, about 275 volunteers counted more than 66,000 people who walked or biked to their destination. This year, about 400 volunteers are needed in more than 40 cities – including Kent – to participate in the annual survey.

The Washington State Department of Transportation and Cascade Bicycle Club began recruiting volunteers in mid-August to tally the number of people bicycling and walking along paths, bike lanes, sidewalks and trails.

“We appreciate all the volunteers who have already signed up, including Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson. There’s still time to get involved,” said Paula Reeves, WSDOT community design manager. “The volunteers’ counts help us measure the results of bicycle and sidewalk investments and better plan for future projects.”

Get involved

Anyone interested in helping can sign up online. For more information, visit WSDOT’s survey website, email the Cascade Bicycle Club or call 206-861-9890.

Washington’s effort is part of the National Documentation Project, an annual survey of bicycle and pedestrian counts sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council. The count will also help measure WSDOT’s progress toward its goal of increasing bicycling and walking while reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.

Volunteers are especially needed in Ellensburg, Longview/Kelso, Spokane, Tacoma and Walla Walla. Other cities and communities in which WSDOT and the Cascade Bicycle Club are recruiting volunteers to perform the counts: Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Burien, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Mercer Island, Milton, Mountlake Terrace, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Orting, Parkland, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Shoreline, Spokane Valley, Tukwila, University Place, Vancouver, Vashon Island, Wenatchee and Yakima.