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

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

30 minutes ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

2 hours ago - Cities Today

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA