The Happiest Commute in Seattle? Survey Says: It’s the Bike Ride

Citywide survey reveals shift in travel habits as more workers return to the office—and shows bike commuting leads in happiness and satisfaction

Seattle’s bike commuters have long known what the latest data now confirms: riding a bike to work isn’t just efficient—it’s joyful.

The newly released Seattle Commute Survey, conducted by Commute Seattle in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation and the University of Washington’s Mobility Innovation Center, offers a detailed look into how more than 75,000 people travel to work, school, and other important destinations. For the first time ever, the biennial survey measured how commuters feel about their daily travel—and biking came out on top.

Biking earns highest satisfaction score in Seattle commute survey

Using a new Net Promoter Score system, the survey found that biking received a satisfaction rating of +33, the highest of all modes. That beats walking (+20), working from home (+5), and public transit (+4). The lowest score went to driving alone, which sank to -43.

“How you travel affects your perception of your commute,” the report notes.

The finding didn’t surprise Seattle Bike Blog editor Tom Fucoloro, who said biking has long been a secret source of happiness for many city commuters.

“It is very common to hear a bike commuter say, ‘My commute is my favorite part of the day,’” Fucoloro wrote. “Starting and ending every workday with a bike ride is a fantastic way to process the stresses of life while also experiencing the city in a deeper way.”

He added that biking provides “accidental exercise” and a powerful sense of daily accomplishment. “Even when a job is stressful, people often still enjoy the ride to and from work.”

Major shifts: In-person work is back, but so is car traffic

As hybrid work patterns continue to evolve, the survey shows a shift toward more in-person work in 2024. Transit use and drive-alone trips both increased among Center City workers, a group defined as those commuting to areas like Belltown, South Lake Union, First Hill, and Capitol Hill.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were the most popular days for coming into the office, while Mondays and Fridays remained heavy remote work days. Compared to 2022, the number of people reporting their job as fully remote dropped by eight percentage points.

Despite more office days, solo driving declined for non-work trips such as errands and school drop-offs—highlighting a growing openness to alternatives like biking, walking, and transit for everyday life beyond the 9-to-5.

Seattle, Washington

Why people drive—or don’t

The report sheds light on what motivates transportation choices. Time savings, convenience, and family care obligations were the top reasons people drive alone. On the flip side, cost, traffic stress, and the desire to avoid contributing to congestion were cited as top reasons people don’t drive.

“People choose how they travel based on time, flexibility, reliability, and affordability,” the survey authors wrote.

The data also showed that employer incentives can shift behaviors. Company shuttles and transit subsidies made a difference in mode choice—and often boosted satisfaction.

Advocates say this is a chance to invest in active transportation

“As more people return to in-person work, they’re rethinking how they get to the places that matter most,” said Alex Hudson, Executive Director of Commute Seattle. “This is a crucial opportunity for employers and the public agencies to invest in sustainable transportation options that meet people’s real needs. Smart choices now can ease commutes and help make Seattle a more livable city.”

Candida Lorenzana, Director of Transit & Mobility at SDOT, echoed that sentiment.

“As commute patterns shift, it’s clear that people need options that are reliable, flexible, and affordable,” Lorenzana said. “This data reinforces the benefit of investing in safe, sustainable ways to get around.”

She pointed to transit, bike, and pedestrian improvements as key areas where the city is working to make commuting easier and more accessible for everyone.

“We are in the midst of a number of significant changes for how people travel in the region,” added Bart Treece, Director of the UW Mobility Innovation Center. “Academia is a strong partner to help us all understand the key insights and clarify policy choices that can make a difference and improve transportation in our region.”

Still a long way to go: bike access and equity gaps persist

While biking’s satisfaction score is high, only 4 percent of respondents said they regularly bike to work. And only 2 percent of women listed biking as their primary mode, compared to 6 percent of men—pointing to continued concerns around safety and accessibility.

The Seattle Bike Blog noted that better infrastructure and safer streets are essential to closing that gender gap. “Biking isn’t just the most satisfying way to get to work—it can also change how you feel about your city, your health, and even your job,” Fucoloro wrote.

A roadmap for a more livable city

Commute Seattle says it plans to continue digging into the data to inform public and private efforts to improve mobility across the region.

“The stories that emerge help public and private sectors meet the needs of people who live and work in Seattle,” Hudson said, “and get us closer to our vision of a region where affordable and sustainable options are the best way for everyone to connect to the important places in their lives.”

For now, the message is clear: if you want a happier commute, whether in Seattle or any other city, get on a bike.