Data lovers, here is another serving: the American Census Bureau today released the one year estimates for its 2012 American Communities Survey (ACS). The new data did little to reverse a two-decade trend of Portlanders driving less.

Over the 2011 data, the percentage of Portlanders using active transportation modes (either riding transit, bicycling or walking to work) remained the same at 24%. Portlanders driving to work increased by 1%.

Portlanders reporting walking to work saw the biggest jump, increasing from 4.9% to 6.9%, a 42% increase. Transit and bicycling both saw small decreases compared to last year.

While the data has varied from year to year, the long term trend is clear: more Portlanders are choosing lower cost, active and environmentally friendly methods for getting to work. Bike commuting has increased 420% since 1990 while riding transit and walking to work have remained relatively steady.

 (Both charts show data for Portland, Oregon.   Click on image for full-size chart.)