BBC Survey:
Multi-Use Paths are Bikers’ Favorite

 

After about a year of volunteer work, the results from last year's BBC survey have been compiled. A total of 580 completed paper surveys were collected during the summer of 2002 at Boulder bike stores, through Boulder Bicycle Commuters mailings, and at BBC tables at bicycle related events.

The average respondent bicycled for transportation 16 days out of the past 30. The most preferred type of bicycle facility was the multiuse path. Bike lanes, bike routes and soft-surface paths tied for a close second. Respondents indicated that they liked all of these top four facilities. Paved shoulders were considered acceptable facilities and sidewalks were halfway between acceptable and "I'll use it if it's the only thing available."

According to the survey, the number one reason keeping people from biking more to get around Boulder was the need to transport things and people. (See graph on page 2.) Safety concerns from traffic was second. Weather and time and distance to destination nearly tied for third. Lack of bike routes and trails and clothing and perspiration issues were also mentioned but far less frequently than the first four reasons. Other reasons such as concerns about bicycle security, harassment, violence, and lack of bike facility maintenance were only listed by less than 15% of respondents.

 

The last question of the survey asked “what is the most important improvement you would make to Boulder’s bicycle transportation facilities?” Of those surveyed, 22% wrote no answer to the question. Of all who were surveyed, 13% said they would like more bike paths and 12% said they would like more bike lanes. 5% said things are good for cyclists in Boulder and the city should "Keep up the good work." 4% of respondents wanted more traffic law education for drivers and cyclists. The rest of the comments received were diverse. They ranged from recommendations of specific projects such as the Boulder-Denver bikeway, bike lanes on Broadway, and 28th Street improvements to general comments such as widening shoulders on rural roads, increasing law enforcement, more bike parking, encouraging politeness on trails, creating more north-south connectors through Boulder, and installing more safety-related signs.

Of those completing the surveys, 59% were men and 88% were between the ages of 17 and 55. About 70% of the people filling out the survey were working, 18% were students, and only 12% were homemakers, retired persons, and others. Most respondents (77%) said they lived in the city of Boulder and 38% said they worked in Boulder.

BBC also ran an electronic version of the survey. A total of 87 electronic surveys have been completed over the past year. Results from the electronic survey are generally consistent with the results from the paper survey. The electronic survey also asked respondents if they owned a car. Ten percent said they did not own one.

 

A follow-up survey is tentatively planned for the summer of 2004.

Special thanks go to Scott Allman and his children, Gretchen Holland, Maggie Boys, Amy Lewin, and Steve Burman for their countless hours of volunteer work which made the survey and its tabulation possible. If you are interested in more details of the paper survey results, please call Krista Holland at 303-443-2889.