More and more people are choosing an active and environmentally friendly mode of transportation when commuting these days, riding their bike into the downtown core, according to recent statistics released by the City of Calgary.

The number of bike commuters in Calgary increased by 20% in 2012. 

Over 12,000 people cycled to and from work every day in 2012. If you add together all the Calgarians who either walk or bike into downtown, 1 in 10 choose this mode of active transportation. Here are some more numbers to throw at you - out of all the vehicles entering Calgary's downtown core, 1 in 17 is a bicycle.

Bike Calgary advocates for better cycling infrastructure, safely shared roads, and public and government acceptance and support for cycling as a means of transportation. They add that these statistics are impressive since there are no roads in the central business district that have distinct bike lanes.

Check out BIKE CALGARY's infograph on bicycle statistcis for Calgary. 

Another sign of this growing trend is a new skyscaper building, in plans by Brookflied, was recently approved by City Council will see the underground parkade at 225 Sixth Ave. S.W. designed with several special features for cyclists. This new skyscraper will offer cyclists their own entrance & exit ramp, as well as storage lockers, showers and a bike repair facility for riders. About 3% of workers in Brookfield’s other Calgary towers — Bankers Hall, Suncor Energy Centre and Fifth Avenue Place — commute on two wheels. Read more about the new twin skyscraper project. 

WalkScore, which offers a "Walkability" index based on nearby ammenities, pathways, etc., also has a feature to gauge a city's BikeScore (BikeScore not yet available in Calgary, but coming soon). Calgary's overall WalkScore is 48, which makes us a car-dependant city. But if you hone in on a specific neighbourhood you will get an individualized score for each community - Calgary's inner city neighbourhood's are much more walkable with a scores ranging from  90-98 in Eau Claire, the Beltline, bridgeland, etc.