Keeping count of uptown cyclists
Sensors detect bikes travelling on King Street cycling lanes
WATERLOO — Every cyclist travelling on the new bike lane in Waterloo’s core will be counted.
A new bicycle counter on King Street at Erb Street is tallying how many people are pedalling along that stretch.
“It actually has a display on it showing exactly how many people have passed through there to the second and also it has a running total,” said Chris Dedman, traffic project manager for Waterloo.
The counter was installed by the city as part of the uptown streetscape improvement project. The $25,000 cost was equally split by the city and region.
“It’s just a way to keep things maybe more fun and engaging for people,” Dedman said.
Underground sensors near the sign, installed on the east side of King, detect the signature of bicycle wheels.
Since being turned on two weeks ago, it has counted an average of 165 people a day.
The daily count has peaked at 260 people and the low has been under 100.
The numbers will add to what’s already being collected from nine other counters on “high priority” trails around Waterloo that tally daily usage by both cyclists and pedestrians to help the city prioritize spending on repairs.
Those trails see more traffic from commuters with peaks in the morning and afternoon.
The new counter shows traffic on that stretch through the core is more level, attracting both recreational cyclists and commuters.
All the information gathered will be available in the open data catalogue on the city’s website.