Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Project

The U.S. Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Project is an on-going effort to collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states and at least the 50 most-populated U.S. cities. The Alliance continues to expand the scope of this project while refining its methods.

Benchmarking Project Objectives:

Improve Data Collection and Availability
The Benchmarking Project identifies gaps in collection and availability of data on bicycling and walking use, safety, programs and provisions, and policies. This project also provides data on cycling and walking to states and cities in a standardized format that otherwise does not exist.
Measure Progress and Evaluate Results
The Benchmarking Project provides data to Alliance member organizations and government officials in a format that helps them measure their progress towards increasing bicycling and walking and evaluate the results of their policies and interventions.
Determine Best Practices and Who Sets Them
The Benchmarking Project identifies the cities and states who are setting the benchmarks for biking and walking. Other cities and states are directed to these role models for success stories, advice, and best practice models.
Compare Cities and States
The Benchmarking Project compares jurisdictions to help organizations and government agencies focus resources in areas with the greatest need of pedestrian and bicycle improvements. This project also provides a means for cities and states to compare themselves to one another, highlight and praise successes, encourage communities making progress, and make communities aware of areas needing more effort.
Support Efforts to Increase Bicycling and Walking
Ultimately, this Benchmarking Project supports the efforts of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations and government officials to increase bicycling and walking in their communities.

The 2007 Benchmarking Report

The Alliance published the first full Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Report in August 2007. To view this report, download a copy, and view main findings click here.

The 2010 Benchmarking Report

The Alliance published the second full Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Report in January 2010. To view this report, download a copy, and view main findings: click here.

Benchmarking Project Partners and Team

The Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Project is made possible with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Planet Bike, and Bikes Belong. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) review committee ensures that our biennial Benchmarking Reports are realistic and valuable to traffic engineers. We are also thankful to our project team including:

John Pucher, PhD, Rutgers University, Research Consultant
Ralph Buehler, PhD, Virginia Tech, Research Consultant
Andrew Dannenberg, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Project Advisor
Steven Skowronski, MPA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Project Advisor
Gabe Rousseau, PhD, Federal Highway Administration, Project Advisor
Deb Hubsmith, National Safe Routes to School Partnership, Project Advisor
Arthur M. Wendel, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Project Advisor
Philip J. Caruso, PE, Institute of Transportation Engineers, ITE Review Committee
John N. LaPlante, PE, T.Y. Lin International, ITE Review Committee
Tatiana Richey, Institute of Transportation Engineers, ITE Review Committee
Matthew D. Ridgway, AICP, PTP, Fehr & Peers, ITE Review Committee
Jeffrey R. Riegner, PE, AICP, Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP, ITE Review Committee
Edward R. Stollof, AICP, Institute of Transportation Engineers, ITE Review Committee
Shawn M. Turner, PE, Texas Transportation Institute, ITE Review Committee
Jeff Miller, Alliance for Biking & Walking, Project Advisor
Kristen Steele, Alliance for Biking & walking, Project Manager
Monica Altmaier, Research Assistant

Alliance member organizations are vital to the success of this project.