Volunteers are needed for the annual count of walkers and bicyclists that will be conducted later this month.

The tally is now in it’s ninth year, and organizers note that public support is necessary to make the count a success. Roughly 400 volunteers are needed for the survey, which will be conducted Sept. 27-29 on Bainbridge Island and nearly 60 other communities across Washington.

“The data from this survey helps communities in many ways,” said Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar. “Volunteers are a key piece of the collection process – we couldn’t do this work without them.”

In 2015, volunteers tallied more than 74,000 bicyclists and pedestrians in communities across Washington during the three-day survey.

This year’s count will be conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation and Cascade Bicycle Club with the help of FeetFirst, Washington Bikes and Futurewise.

The count is part of the National Documentation Project, an annual bicycle and pedestrian count and survey effort sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council. The count will also help measure the Washington State Department of Transportation’s progress toward the goal of increasing bicycling and walking to reduce the number of vehicle miles driven.

Data collected in the count is also used by state and local agencies to measure the benefit of bicycle and pedestrian project investments; and improve policies, project designs and funding opportunities.

Registration for volunteers has begun.

To learn more, visit WSDOT’s website at www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Count.htm, email the Cascade Bicycle Club or call 206-439-4301.