New data has been released from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, and it confirms what many of us already know from observing our cities: more and more people are using bicycles for transportation. Nationally, 2012 saw an impressive 10% increase in bicycle commuters since 2011. Since 2000, bicycle commuting has risen more than 60%. For more analysis of the ACS 2012 data, visit the League of American Bicyclists’ blog.

As a primary means of transportation, around 2% of working Georgians answered that they either walked or rode a bicycle in 2012. That means at least 84,000 people in Georgia routinely rely on walking or bicycling to get to work. If the ACS recorded secondary and occasional walking and cycling trips, the number would be much higher.

An additional 2% listed public transportation as their primary commute option. All of those trips include walking and many may include un-reported bicycling trips to reach the transit stop or station.

Meanwhile, pedestrians and cyclists represented a grossly disproportionate 15.5 % of all traffic fatalities in 2012. If for no other reason than safety (and there are plenty of other worthy reasons), Georgia must commit meaningful transportation investments toward improving both bicycle and pedestrian facilities. We’re working with GDOT and other state agencies to make sure that happens sooner than later.