New SANDAG Report Finds More People Biking Amid Pandemic
The following biking and transportation related information was shared by SANDAG with the Mission Hills BID and Mission Hills Parking Advisory Committee:
Since the start of the statewide stay home order, SANDAG has tracked numerous data sources to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted travel in the San Diego region. Data shows that with more people staying closer to home, the choice to use alternative transportation for shorter trips, including outdoor opportunities for recreational and fitness activities, continues to increase.
The SANDAG InfoBits report Bike Riding in the San Diego Region Since COVID-19 examines bike volumes on eight corridors around San Diego County between mid-March and mid-August 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. The report also shares biking insights from residents and their plans to continue riding. During the start of the stay home order, daily volumes increased an average of 42% across the network during the first five months in 2020, compared to the same time in 2019. More than 4 out of 5 (84%) residents surveyed who have been biking more since the stay home order began said that they expect to continue biking even after restrictions are lifted.
City of San Diego Launches Better by Bike Campaign
Better by Bike is an outreach and education campaign launched by the City of San Diego and San Diego County Bicycle Coalition in May 2020. The campaign aims to promote diversity in bicycling, encourage support for protected bike lanes, and increase the number of people going by bike. The Better by Bike Blog launched on August 10 and highlights riders’ personal stories, city bike infrastructure updates, and resources to get new riders prepared to hit the road. The campaign has involved two events so far – the May 2020 Bike Month Challenge using the Love to Ride mobile application and a Mid-City Bike Scavenger Hunt to support local businesses in August. Later this year, the campaign will launch an online bike education module for K-12 students and a local bike giveaway for students and parents in the Encanto area. Learn more about Better by Bike.