Survey finds more users on regional trails

32 percent of trail users commuting to work or school

2005 Archived News

More people are using the King County regional trail system both on weekends and during the week, according to the latest regional trail survey on the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River Trails.

The 2005 survey was conducted in May by the King County Parks and Recreation Division and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, with assistance from the Cascade Bicycle Club. The last survey was completed in 2000.

"This verifies what we have believed about the increasing popularity of our trails, both for recreation and for commuting to work and school," said Robert Foxworthy, trails coordinator for King County Parks. "It also helps guide us as we work toward King County's vision of expanding the regional trail system for the benefit of our citizens."

King County's regional trail system, offering more than 100 miles of paved and nearly 70 miles of unpaved trails, continues to grow to meet the needs of the public. The county last month secured the final construction permits for the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Work on the scenic 11-mile route, connecting Redmond to Issaquah, could begin in July.

King County also announced plans last month to negotiate the purchase of the 47-mile Burlington Northern Santa Fe eastside rail line, extending from Renton to Snohomish, with the idea of developing a public trail along the entire length.

For the 2005 survey, stations were manned by more than 35 volunteers in Redmond, Woodinville, Lake Forest Park and Gas Works Park. The volunteers surveyed trail users from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 and again on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trail Trends:

Overall Usage

• Saturday- A total of 9,631 total users were counted along the two trails.
• That's 861 more users or almost a 10 percent increase from 2000.
• The greatest weekend increase was in Woodinville where more than 500 additional trail users were counted.
  
• Tuesday- A total of 8,010 users were counted along the two trails.
  That‘s 249 more users or about a 16 increase percent from 2000.
  The greatest weekday increase was found at Gas Works Park with an additional 621 trail users.

Trip Purpose

• Saturday recreational use was predominate.
• Tuesday-more than one-third of users were commuting to or from work.
• The highest number of commuters was at Gas Works Park and Lake Forest Park.

Bike Fraction up Slightly on Trails
Bicycling was the most popular activity on the trails according to the survey.

• Saturday-about 72 percent of all trail users were on bicycles.
• Pedestrians constituted 25 percent of users on Saturday.
• Tuesday- approximately 68 percent used bicycles.
• Pedestrians constituted about 29 percent of users.
• The number of skaters decreased about 50 percent from the 2000 survey.

Helmet Usage Up

• Overall, helmet use has increased from 89 percent to 95 percent in the last five years.
• About 95 percent of adults and 92 percent of children were observed wearing helmets.

"Despite wind and rain late Saturday, the 2005 count shows trails in King County are heavily used," said survey coordinator Dr. Bill Moritz, University of Washington professor emeritus. "On Saturday several stations experienced sustained traffic of 200-300 users per hour. The peak-hour use on Tuesday was about 500 users per hour. In addition, the results show the trails are heavily used for purposeful transportation, as well as, for recreation.

The trail survey has been conducted every five years since 1980. It has been coordinated by Dr. Moritz since 1995.