National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior: Volume 1: Summary Report [2008]

Royal, Dawn; Miller-Steiger, Darby · 2008 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This report presents the findings of the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior, a study sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The research aimed to benchmark the scope, magnitude, and public attitudes regarding bicycling and walking in the United States. Data were collected via telephone interviews administered by The Gallup Organization with a nationally representative sample of 9,616 U.S. residents aged 16 and older during the summer of 2002. The survey focused on behaviors, safety perceptions, facility usage, and community design satisfaction during the summer months. The study found that bicycling is less prevalent than walking. Approximately 46% of respondents had regular access to a bicycle, with access correlating positively with household income. About 43% rode at least once during the summer, generating an estimated 2.48 billion trips, primarily for recreation (29%) and exercise (24%). Bicycling frequency declined with age, with those under 20 riding most frequently. In contrast, 86% of respondents walked, jogged, or ran outdoors for at least five minutes during the summer, totaling an estimated 13.33 billion trips. Walking was most common for personal errands (38%), exercise (28%), and recreation (21%). Safety concerns and infrastructure usage varied between modes. Among bicyclists, 13% felt threatened for their personal safety, with 88% attributing this threat to motorists. Only 50% of bicyclists wore helmets for at least some trips, though 90% supported helmet laws for children. Bicyclists primarily used paved roads (48%), with only 5% using bike lanes. Non-use of available bike paths or lanes was largely due to inconvenience rather than safety concerns. Pedestrians reported lower safety threats (6%), with 62% of those threatened citing motorists. Nearly half of all walking trips occurred on sidewalks. Regarding community design, 48% of respondents were satisfied with how their communities were designed for bicycle safety, while 73% were satisfied with walking infrastructure. Despite satisfaction levels, nearly half of all respondents desired changes, with bicyclists specifically requesting more bike lanes (38%) and paths (30%), and pedestrians requesting more sidewalks (42%). The report highlights that while walking is a near-universal activity, bicycling remains a more niche behavior influenced by age, income, and perceived safety, with significant public support for improved infrastructure and protective legislation.

Key finding

Approximately 46 percent of U.S. residents aged 16 and older have regular access to a bicycle, with usage rates declining significantly as age increases.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 9616

Provenance

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Topics

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• cyclist safety

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence