2026 Bike Santa Cruz County Survey Report
Bike Santa Cruz County has released our 2026 Survey Report, based on responses from 743 people who bike, or would like to bike more, throughout Santa Cruz County.
The survey included frequent transportation riders, recreational cyclists, families, e-bike users, occasional riders, and people who said they would ride more if routes felt safer. While it was a voluntary community survey rather than a random poll, it provides a substantial body of direct feedback from people with firsthand experience using local streets, trails, intersections, and bicycle facilities.
Three findings stood out.
First, traffic stress remains the leading barrier to bicycling. 44% of respondents said they felt unsafe riding in their area, 54% identified unsafe traffic as a reason they do not ride more, and 64% reported close passing by drivers as a stressful experience.
Second, respondents want complete, connected routes. 40% described the network between their homes and destinations as poorly connected. A single dangerous intersection, missing segment, freeway crossing, or abruptly disappearing lane can make an otherwise useful route impractical.
Third, the current system places the greatest limits on children and less-confident riders. Among applicable family and school riders, only 4% would allow a child or teenager to ride independently on current routes without qualification.
The report also examines e-bikes, Watsonville and South County, mountain communities, and opinions about the Coastal Rail Trail. 44% of respondents currently use an e-bike, while another 17% are interested. Regional findings highlighted particular concerns around Freedom Boulevard, Highway 9, high vehicle speeds, missing shoulders, and difficult crossings.
The survey findings were compared with recent crash records and the County Safety Action Plan. Together, they point toward a practical agenda: close critical gaps, build protected facilities on major streets, create low-stress neighborhood connections, improve crossings, maintain pavement, and accelerate completion of usable Coastal Rail Trail segments.