A local pedestrian and bicyclist count last month for the Minnesota Department of Transportation showed the most activity around Falls Elementary School.

The three-day count took place at three locations including the elementary school intersection at 15th Avenue and 14th Street in International Falls. Other counts were done at the intersection of Highway 11 and 11th Street near Falls High School, and a third at Highway 53 and 17th Street near McDonald’s.

“What we saw was interesting,” said Nancy Lee, Koochiching County public health nurse, who is the local grant coordinator for the Statewide Health Improvement Program, or SHIP.

Near Falls Elementary, 144 walkers and bikers were recorded, 109 near FHS, and 106 at Highway 53 and 17th Street.

The SHIP coalition conducted the counts on Sept. 11, 12, and 13 between the peak walking and biking hours of 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MnDOT collaborated with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs to conduct statewide counts on those days.

“The long-term goals of the project are to measure non-motorized traffic volumes, provide the evidence needed for efficient investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and inform programs to insure bicycle and pedestrian safety,” stated a MnDOT media release.

The Minnesota Department of Health also recognizes this as an opportunity to evaluate behavior change to promote active transportation through SHIP, the statement said.

Lee and others advocate active transportation in all kinds of weather, within reasonable limits. She said the highest counts were on the first day, which had “beautiful” weather. The next day was cooler, and numbers dropped significantly on the coolest day, in which one counter wrote in the notes, “Brrrr.”

“The goal is to, within reasonable distance and reasonable weather, encourage people to walk and bike,” Lee said.

She added the timing of the counts was interesting because the International Falls City Council is currently considering adding a crosswalk and signs at the intersection near Falls Elementary School. The council this week tabled the item to allow area residents to voice their concerns about how concrete placed at the end of the crosswalk or signs would affect their property.

This month, Lee will get together with the Falls schools Parent Involvement Committee to discuss what was witnessed and some of the concerns about no crosswalk or sidewalk near the elementary school.

“From what I could see, I think the kids (walking) were trying to do the right thing, but I don’t think they knew what that was — because there’s no direction or sidewalk,” Lee said. “It’s kind of like a free for all and the poor kids were trying to do the best they could.”

She added that some parents have advocated for a school speed limit sign at that intersection, as the drivers in that area also try to stop for walkers, but having signs would help.

“What I saw was some confusion on everybody’s part, and I think there’s a good opportunity there for some work,” Lee said.

The group will also get together this month to review the 2008 Safe Routes to School assessments done locally and possibly update them.

“We’ll pull and see what things were done, and do we see these making sense anymore?” Lee said.

MnDOT in late September launched a “Share the Road” pedestrian safety campaign aimed to reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

“The number of pedestrian fatalities remains at about 40 per year, even though total fatalities on Minnesota roads have been steadily decreasing,” said Sue Groth, MnDOT state traffic engineer, in a prepared statement. “This is an important area to focus on because pedestrians are more vulnerable than motorists who are protected by the vehicle, seat belts and air bags during a crash.”

The campaign happens this month because October is traditionally the deadliest month for pedestrians, according to MnDOT.