King County Metro Transit is looking to expand a successful pilot project aimed at increasing the use of transit, bicycling and footpower at the neighborhood level.

Most recently, it was the residents of the Columbia City neighborhood who enthusiastically participated in the In Motion pilot project – and this summer the county would like to expand the reach of the program.

Last fall, more than 300 Columbia City residents took part in the In Motion pilot, and they reported significant changes in how they chose to travel. By the end of the 10-week program, participants reported driving alone 28 percent less. Instead, they increased their walking by 37 percent, carpooling by 34 percent, busing by 29 percent, and bicycling by 14 percent. Although the offer of Metro free-ride tickets was a strong motivation for participation, residents reported that the healthy benefits associated with getting out of their cars in favor of more active transportation modes was also a strong reason for making the pledge.

“We want to develop a neighborhood partnership to keep this program alive, and help more people learn how to use healthy travel options to get around their community,” said Carol Cooper, a Metro transportation planner.

Cooper said the goal of the In Motion program is to provide education and incentives that encourage everyone in the neighborhood to travel in healthier ways for themselves and their community. Posters throughout the neighborhood with slogans like “Hop on the bus, Russ” and “Cycle on, Juan” were only part of Metro’s successful Columbia City pilot program. Nearly 40 local merchants and the local Farmers’ Market pitched in as sponsors for the drive-less campaign. Residents who pledged to reduce their car use by two trips each week were rewarded with Metro free ride tickets and other incentives, in increasing amounts the longer they stuck with their pledges.

Metro found similar positive results in the first In Motion pilot in the Madison-Miller neighborhood, conducted during the spring of 2004. In addition to working on ways to keep these two neighborhoods in motion even though the formal program has ended, Metro wants to test this approach in other neighborhoods throughout King County. For more information, call Carol Cooper at 684-6766 or visit the In Motion website to learn more.

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