Survey Finds Bike Commuting up 25% in Downtown Denver

The Downtown Denver Partnership found 8.3% of all commuters bike to work—an improvement that the partnership's senior manager of economic development said could be "the most significant change we've ever seen."

1 minute read

January 11, 2018, 11:00 AM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Colorado Multi-Modlaism

Arina P Habich / Shutterstock

An annual survey of downtown Denver commuters found that 8.3% say they bike to work, up from 6.6% a year ago. "The 2017 spike in bike commuting is “one of the most significant, if not the most significant change that we have seen” since the survey began in 2012, said Emily Brett, Senior Manager of Economic Development for the Partnership," David Sachs reports for Streetsblog Denver.

Why the jump? It's hard to say. The city has added more than four miles of protected bike lanes downtown, which may have had an impact. The survey also saw a strong association between employers offering transit benefits and employees riding bikes and transit to work, but the report doesn't offer a "silver bullet" type explanation.

"These statistics are a good weathervane but it’s important to keep in mind that they don’t necessarily reflect citywide trends," Sachs cautions. Of course, commuting isn't the only reason for bike trips (to some, biking for any kind of transport is a foreign concept). And while boosting downtown bike rates is a noble goal for the health and equity of a city, a bump in downtown biking doesn't necessarily reflect city-wide transport use.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in Streetsblog Denver

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

Green painted bike lane on street next to modern mid-rise apartment buildings in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle’s Bike Infrastructure Hamstrings Growth

Design standards that call for minimal road space allocated to bikes are limiting the growth of cycling in the city.

December 4 - The Urbanist

Tall palm trees against bright blue sky with snowy mountains in background. Los Angeles, California.

Winter Fun at Los Angeles County Parks

L.A. County is offering a winter edition of its popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program, providing opportunities for residents to come together and have fun in safe and welcoming spaces.

December 4 - NBC 4

Bird's eye view of houses in midtown Sacramento, California.

Sacramento Council Approves Upzoning Proposal

If given final approval, the plan would increase the allowable floor area ratio to permit denser housing development in single-family neighborhoods and near transit.

December 4 - Sacramento Business Journal

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.