University of Illinois Bicycle Census
The bicycle census is a collaborative, community-wide effort between Facilities & Services (F&S) and Champaign County Bikes that began in 2013 as part of ongoing efforts to support the campus’ Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) status. In 2019, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was recognized as a silver-level BFU by the League of American Bicyclists for taking significant steps to address health and environmental challenges by creating safer, more welcoming and accessible areas for people who bike.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign aims to organize at least one (1) bicycle census every year, where volunteers walk around the campus to count bicycles during peak hour. The data collected by volunteers will update the university bicycle database, which is used to identify high-ridership locations for mobility and safety improvements. The information will also guide future planning efforts for bicycle and active transportation projects such as complete streets and bike rack upgrades.
Previous censuses counted more than 5,000 parked bicycles on campus over one-hour. Volunteers will cover 42 areas and compile data using ArcGIS Field Maps, a geographic information system (GIS) smartphone-enabled application. The number of off-and-on-rack bicycles will be documented along with specific bike rack information, including the type, capacity, and how the structures are installed. Using the previous census information, F&S developed an interactive Campus Bike Parking Map to help riders find parking locations. The map shows more than 500 different bicycle parking areas on campus.
The upcoming bicycle census is planned to be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Learn more about how you can be involved with this event as a volunteer at Bike Census Spring 2023. Volunteers will walk/bike around campus look for off-rack and on-rack bicycles within that one hour. In case of inclement weather conditions, the event will be postponed.
Contact us at bike@illinois.edu for more information.
Volunteer Sign-Up Form for the next Bike Census: Available now! Sign-Up to register here.
Archives
April 2021
August 2018
August 2017
October 2016
August 2016
April 2016
Frequently Asked Questions
Information Collected
Link to view the information collected at the bike census 2018: https://arcg.is/2st7vpd