In October 2008, the City of Long Beach conducted its first citywide bicycle counts with  the goal of developing a baseline of bicycle activity around the City. In 2008, counts occurred at 23 locations. In 2009, counts occurred at 28 locations, and counters recorded pedestrian activity in addition to bicycling volumes, rider demographics, and  bicycling behavior. The 2009 bicycle and pedestrian counts in Long Beach show that bicycling is a vital component of the City’s transportation network.

This annual bike count program is part of continued data collection of bicycle and pedestrian behavior in Long Beach. It also provides vital measurements for the National Bicycle & Pedestrian Documentation Project (NBPD). The NBPD aims to establish a consistent methodology for counting and surveying bicyclists and pedestrians, and develop a national database of bicycle and pedestrian activity.

These ongoing counts are part of a grant funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Policies for Livable and Active Communities and Environments (PLACE) Program in an effort to create places where healthy living is part of everyday activity. The City collaborated with Bikestation and California State University Long Beach (CSULB) in organizing the counts. These organizations assisted with identifying count locations, volunteer recruitment, volunteer training, and data collection.

2009 count locations with the highest rates of bicycle activity over a two-hour period were generally dedicated bike paths:

- Beach Bike Path at Belmont Pier: 393 bicyclists during the weekend mid-day,
- 2nd Street and Bay Shore Avenue: 338 bicyclists during the weekend mid-day,
- Beach Bike Path at Belmont Pier: 260 bicyclists during the weekday evening, and
- San Gabriel River Bike Path at Willow: 184 bicyclists during the weekend mid-day.

The count locations with the highest rates of pedestrian activity over a two-hour period were generally near transit hubs:

- Broadway and Pine: 850 pedestrians during the weekend mid-day,
- Metro Blue Line at Anaheim: 720 pedestrians during the weekday evening,
- Metro Blue Line at Anaheim: 564 pedestrians during the weekend mid-day, and
- Metro Blue Line at Willow: 543 pedestrians during the weekday evening.

In addition, comparisons can be made regarding total proportional shifts in bicyclist demographics and bicycling behavior. The counts recorded a lower percentage of female bicyclists, and a higher percentage of children compared to 2008 data. In terms of riding behavior, the counts recorded lower percentages of bicyclists riding on the sidewalk and riding without helmets, but they also observed higher percentages of wrong-way riding.

A comparison of bicycle ridership by facility type reveals that ridership is higher on streets with bicycle facilities than on streets with no bike facilities by a two to one margin. Sixty-four percent (64%) of all cyclists were observed on either a Class I (bike path) or Class II (bike lane) compared to thirty-four percent (34%) on streets with no facilities. Moreover, there is a higher prevalence of female cyclists east of Redondo Avenue. Sixty-five percent (65%) of all female cyclists were observed east of Redondo Avenue.

A direct comparison of 2008 and 2009 data regarding bicycling activity rates is limited by a shift in count methodology. While all 2008 data came from screen-line counts, 2009 data predominantly came from intersection counts, which inherently record more bicyclists. Comparisons can be made, but they require specific assumptions that utilize the directional data collected within the intersection count. Section 3.1 of the 2009 Bike & Pedestrian Count Summary further describes this methodological shift. The total number of bicyclists, at locations with data-sets for all three counts for each year, increased 12% from 1,271 to 1,418. 

To review the full 2009 report, click here.

To review the full 2008 report, click here.