I understand India's concerns, and would agree with them to a point. Bicycle or pedestrian count data should not be used to indicate demand. You can't assume that only 200 people (to use a random number) want to bike a certain route or corridor because that is how many people are using that route/corridor now.
However, I also think it is very important to have a baseline from which to look at changes in behavior and demand. We know that certain roads are actually seeing LESS motor vehicle traffic than they were 10 or 15 years ago, while others are carrying more MV traffic. How do we know that? Because we count the motor vehicles on a routine basis. Portland, OR, can publish a report showing a correlation between the growth of its bicycle network (paths, protected bike lanes, and neighborhood greenways--aka bike boulevards) because they actually count the traffic on a regular basis. How has the addition of the Starkweather Creek Path or overpassed of Hwy 30 and E Washington affected the traffic on the Isthmus Path or the mode split to MATC? /shrug/ How has the completion of the Cannonball changed the number of kids that bike at or to Leopold School? /shrug/ How many people cross John Nolen at North Shore by bike? /shrug/ How many people use the new underpass of Verona Rd -- the one with all the cool murals? /shrug/ Are more people using the Military Ridge Trail to access the SW Path, now that there is an overpass at McKee Rd? /shrug/ Etc. We need to do better. Robbie Webber Transportation geek All opinions are my own, and not necessarily those of any group or organization with which I am affiliated. Founding member, Madison Bikes <http://www.madisonbikes.org/> *...where anyone can ride a bicycle conveniently and comfortably to any place year round.* MadisonBikes.org <http://www.madisonbikes.org/> Follow Madison Bikes on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/MBIIC/>
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