Do Portlanders bike more than any other big city dwellers? Does the number of cyclists continue to increase? Are more people wearing bike helmets than ever? Are more women riding?

Yes, yes, yes and yes.

The Portland Office of Transportation recently published its annual bicycle counts report. These are conducted each year. In 2008, the entire city witnessed a staggering 28% increase in bike trips.

Bicycle trips across the Hawthrone, Steel, Broadway, and Burnside Bridges from 1991 - 2008.

The bike counts are conducted by automated "hose counts" on the four bike-friendly bridges (Hawthorne, Burnside, Steel and Broadway) and by staff and volunteers at over 65 intersections throughout Portland.

Some of the highlights:

• Bicycle traffic has nearly tripled since 2001;
• Helmet use is at an all-time high (80%);
• Women cyclists are also at an all time high (32%);