Bicycle spotters reveal top tracks

VOLUNTEERS in bright blue T-shirts lined the streets in some of Hobart’s busiest areas in order to count those travelling on two wheels.

The Bicycle Network conducted bike counts across more than 50 sites in the Hobart area as part of the Super Tuesday bike count.

Chief executive Craig Richards said the aim of the count was to see where people enjoyed riding so that better cycling infrastructure could be put in place.

“Super Tuesday shows us which bike paths and lanes are most used and which ones don’t attract many people on bikes,” he said.

“When we see that a particular spot has a lot of riders on different types of bikes, an even gender split and people of all ages, we know that’s the kind of lane or path we need more of.”

Spokeswoman Alison Hetherington said based on a sample of this year’s figures, cyclist numbers were steady.

“This year we counted the Bathurst and Campbell intersection for the first time in preparation for the new bridge over the Brooker opening and separated cycleways going into both streets,” she said.

“The counter at the intersection estimated that around 80 per cent of riders were male so it will be interesting to see if safer cycle ways change that gender mix.”

After the count, the information collected around Hobart will be used by the Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence and Kingborough councils to inform the need for new or upgraded infrastructure.

Volunteers counted the total number of riders in 15 or 30-minute intervals, all movements of riders at each intersection, and the distribution of gender.

Each volunteer received $60 to donate to a charity, school, club or community group of their choice. Last year’s effort saw volunteers donate more than $48,000.