PBOT report shows 5% growth in Portland cyclists from 2022 to 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After Portland saw a significant dip in cycling between 2019 and 2022, the city’s transportation agency has recorded a 5% increase for the following year.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation released its 2023 Bicycle Counts Report on Tuesday afternoon. Throughout last year, 114 PBOT volunteers gathered data at 272 locations — most of which were intersections of bike lanes and greenways — during peak times such as and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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According to the report, volunteers counted 22,397 cyclists in 2023. PBOT noted this was the first time that data included modes of “micro-mobility” like e-scooters, electric bikes, skateboards, etc. — and 17% of local cyclists used e-bikes last year.
Even with the additional modes of transportation, the agency found that last year’s biking levels remain 32% below the 2019 count and 40% below the 2016 count.
Additionally, helmet use grew by 2% to 83% from 2022 to 2023, but remains lower than the 2018 and 2019 records of 85%.
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Last year, Northwest Portland led as the area with the most significant year-over-year increase in cyclists. That district experienced a 14.9% growth in biking, while Southwest Portland saw the least growth with just 0.8%.
Throughout 2024, PBOT plans to bring more neighborhood greenways to the Parkrose, Knott-Sacramento, North Delaware, Upper St. John’s and Burr areas.
“We’re encouraged that PBOT leadership agrees with us on the need for more and better infrastructure to make everyone feel comfortable biking to make this possible,” Bicycle Advisory Committee Chair Alexandra Holmqvist said in a statement.
“Our committee will continue to advocate for safer spaces for people to ride bikes, and the kinds of encouragement and inspiration programs that show families how to make biking a part of their everyday lives,” Holmqvist added.
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