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Bicycle / Pedestrian Resources – Database
OVERVIEW • WALKABLE COMMUNITIES • REPORTS • DATABASE
Overview • About the Data • Access the Database • Contributors
Background
This database provides information on people who are bicycling, walking, jogging, skating, using wheelchairs, and pushing baby carriages—everyone moving on land without motor vehicles. Most of the data were obtained from counts performed in the Boston region. The MPO began collecting these data—most of which were collected by volunteers—in the mid-1970s. The initial focus was on bicycling, so most of the database consists of bicycling data. On-street counts began including all user types in the 1990s, while most trail counts have included all user types from the start. The MPO staff began conducting trail counts statewide in September 2007.

Why is the Database Important?
These data provide information that addresses many questions. What are seasonal variations in our region? How have volumes changed through the years? How many people are using the trails that have been built? What are the most popular commuting routes? How many of the trail users are commuting? This database establishes a solid baseline that will guide future counts, support more accurate estimates of the use of proposed facilities, and measure changes in use. In addition, these volumes can be analyzed in light of crash data to help pinpoint areas that may require changes or design upgrades for improving safety.

How to Work with the Data
The database may be accessed interactively over the Web using the Access the Database link. Clicking on this link launches an application that allows you to query the database interactively. Once you have selected a set of counts of interest, you can call up a detailed report on these counts in your Web browser or download the data to your computer. The downloaded data are in comma-separated-value (CSV) format, which can be read by any popular spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel. A description of the fields (columns) in downloaded data may be obtained by clicking on the About the Data link.

Feedback
Please contact us if you find any errors or have any difficulties accessing these data: Cathy Buckley or Sean Pfalzer at peoplecount@bostonmpo.org or 617.973.7100.