NW Poll

Bikes and Cars

May 10, 2021 by PEMCO Insurance

According to the latest 2021 PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, nearly six in 10 people say cyclists and drivers do a fair or poor job of sharing the road. What do you think? Are the biggest offenders on two wheels or four?

In your opinion, do you believe that drivers and cyclists:

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
2019	2021	2019	2021
12	11	7	7	Do an excellent job sharing the road
30	34	34	32	A good job
43	38	42	39	Only a fair job
14	14	15	20	A poor job

In your opinion, do you believe that drivers and cyclists:

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
All Drivers	Drivers & Cyclists	All Drivers	Drivers & Cyclists
12	17	7	11	Do an excellent job sharing the road
36	40	31	31	A good job
37	33	40	35	Only a fair job
14	10	20	23	A poor job

In general, how many cyclists do you think do you a good job following the correct rules of the road when cycling?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
2019	2021	2019	2021
9	6	6	3	All cyclists follow the correct rules of the road when cycling
36	41	35	35	Most cyclists follow the correct rules of the road
31	35	32	39	Some cyclists follow the correct rules of road
20	15	21	19	Only a few cyclists do
1	1	3	3	None do

When you’re riding your bike on city streets, how comfortable do you feel sharing the road with other vehicles, cyclists and e-cyclists?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
198	170	Cyclists
12	5	Extremely comfortable
24	18	Very comfortable
31	40	Somewhat comfortable
24	23	Not too comfortable
8	14	Not at all comfortable

When you’re riding your bike on city streets, how comfortable do you feel sharing the road with other vehicles, cyclists and e-cyclists?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
Male	Female	Male	Female
44	28	29	16	Extremely or very comfortable
35	24	38	42	Somewhat comfortable
20	47	33	43	Not comfortable

When you’re riding your bike on city streets, how comfortable do you feel sharing the road with other vehicles, cyclists and e-cyclists?

Seattle Metro			Portland Metro
< 35	35-54	55+	< 35	35-54	55+
41	47	17	36	19	16	Extremely or very comfortable
29	24	42	42	47	32	Somewhat comfortable
30	28	40	22	34	52	Not comfortable

In general, how many drivers do you think do you a good job following the correct rules of the road when driving?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
2019	2021	2019	2021
19	9	9	6	All drivers follow the correct rules of the road when driving
41	45	45	41	Most drivers follow the correct rules of the road
33	40	34	43	Some drivers following the correct rules of the road
5	5	12	9	Only a few drivers do
0	1	0	1	None do

Do you currently have a non-motorized bicycle that you can use on the streets—either one that is your own or one that you borrow or rent?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
400	400	Total
45	38	Yes, I have my own
5	5	Yes, I have one that I borrow or rent
50	57	No, I don’t have a bicycle to use

How would you rate your skills as a cyclist?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
198	170	Bike riders
20	26	Novice or beginner
51	51	Intermediate
23	21	Advanced
4	1	Professional
2	1	Don’t know

How would you rate your skills as a cyclist?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
Male	Female	Male	Female
13	29	17	39	Novice or beginner
55	46	53	47	Intermediate
25	20	28	12	Advanced
5	1	1	1	Professional

Now, when you ride your bike, do you primarily ride on trails or city streets?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
198	170	Bike riders
28	22	Trails
37	46	City streets
31	28	Both equally
2	2	Other

Now, when you ride your bike, do you primarily ride on trails or city streets?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
Male	Female	Male	Female
21	36	20	25	Trails
44	29	44	48	City streets
34	29	31	25	Both equally
2	1	3	1	Other

Compared to before the coronavirus pandemic started in February 2020 has the amount of time you now spend cycling increased, decreased or stayed about the same?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
198	170	Bike riders before and after
25	14	Increased
53	60	Stayed about the same
22	25	Decreased

Compared to before the coronavirus pandemic started in February 2020 has the amount of time you now spend cycling increased, decreased or stayed about the same?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
< 35	35+	<35	35+
33	21	24	10	Increased
44	56	56	61	Stayed about the same
23	22	20	27	Decreased

Since the start of the pandemic, have you purchased a new or used bicycle?

Seattle Metro	Portland Metro
198	170	Bike riders
28	14	Yes
71	85	No

Since the start of the pandemic, have you purchased a new or used bicycle?

Seattle Metro		Portland Metro
< 35	35+	<35	35+
34	13	32	7	Yes
65	85	68	92	No

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll

PEMCO Mutual Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 400 respondents in the Seattle Metro (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties) region and 400 respondents in the Portland Metro (Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas, Washington Counties) region yields an accuracy of +/- 5.0% respectively at the 95% confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.

About PEMCO Insurance

PEMCO Insurance is the Defender of Your Northwest, providing auto, home, renters and boat coverage. We are consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee expertise and social impact. Our Mutual Good programs raise the achievement levels for youth in education; build stronger, greener environments; and increase safety at home, on the road and at play. Our mission: Free our communities to worry less and live more.

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