Bike/Ped count day number one got started today with overcast skies, but ended with sunshine and bright blue overhead. “WABI-ist” counting volunteers showed up at their designated intersections around Burien for their two-hour shifts.
A total of sixteen local folks have volunteered there time for this project, to be carried out over these three days. There are eleven intersections where pedestrians and cyclists are being tallied as a part of the annual, statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Count. Each intersection is counted from 7-9:00 a.m. and 4-6:00 p.m. on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week. Volunteers take a morning shift or an afternoon shift. (Some signed up for multiple shifts!)
Read our previous, full description here.
Gary McNeil volunteered to count at the intersection of SW 152nd and 1st Ave. S., alongside KFC, in the early morning shift. He also signed up for the afternoon shift at SW 160th and 4th Ave. SW, by Sylvester Middle School. Way to volunteer, Gary! (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
When coordinating the volunteers (solicited through the web, e-mail and Facebook), WABI received an e-mail from a mother with two kids that wanted to help. She wrote: “I have two children (8th grade & 7th grade) that are interested in volunteering together for a shift for this study (I will be with them to assist.)”
WABI-ists, Tracie Crone, her daughter, Sierra, and son, Milan, volunteered at the sunny intersection of Ambaum and SW 144th. Their efforts will assist in long-term planning that they and their friends will benefit from. And what a concrete way to learn about community activism. Thank you! (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
Tracie, Sierra and Milan checked their tally sheet with every passerby. (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
Mike Hart is a cyclist himself and so, is committed to assisting with the count. He sat for two hours in the morning, then came back for two more hours at the same spot in the afternoon, at Des Moines Memorial Drive and S 136th. He said he used to commute two hours to work, so this was much like that, only didn’t have to worry about traffic. His name is on the list for a third shift, too. Wow, thanks, Mike. (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
Every volunteer uses a standardized form on which to separately tally pedestrians, cyclists, male, female, direction of travel away from the intersection, and whether the cyclists are wearing helmets. Mike put in four hours today looking out for people to tally. (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
A helmeted cyclist was added to Mike’s count while starting the climb westbound up the hill on S 136th. St. from Des Moines Memorial Drive. (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
Former Burien City Councilmember, Sue Blazak, is ardent about pedestrian issues, and is a WABI board member. For her afternoon counting shift at SW 136th and 4th Ave. SW, Sue had to bundle against the chill of the shade. Thanks, Sue! (Photo ©Maureen Hoffmann)
