Accurate data on cycling trips and users is critical for planners and engineers to prioritise for future growth. It also contributes to a better understanding of the role of cycling in our transport system.
There are many sources of data about bicycle use. A few sources are listed here, particularly where they are relevant to planning bicycle networks.
VicRoads has installed permanent inductive loop counters in various locations across Melbourne. The counters record bicycle volumes 24 hours per day, every day of the year. This is useful for monitoring changing cycle use over the seasons but also year to year.
There are currently 17 off-road counter sites and 4 on-road counter sites, all recording cycling flows in both directions.
Bicycle Volumes 2005-2012: Inductive loops in Melbourne [PDF, 104KB, 6 pp] provides a summary of data collected from the loop counters between 2005 and 2012 (using available data).
Map of Loop Counters [PDF, 173KB] provides a map of the locations of the bicycle loop counters.
The Australian census takes place every 6 years and records information on transport modes for the journey to work.
Cycling to Work in Melbourne – 1976 to 2006 [PDF, 3912KB, 11 pp]
This report provides information on cycling trips to work in Melbourne (and Regional Victoria) between 1976 and 2006 including the number of cycling trips to work on each census day. Modal share of cycling compared to other transport modes is also recorded.
The Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA) took place in 2007 and 2009. It provides the most up-to-date information on changes to travel behaviour in Victoria. During 2010, Department of Transport will analyse and compare the data to provide information on changing transport habits of Victorians. The data can be accessed through the Department of Transport VISTA.
Between 1994 and 1999, the Victorian Activity and Travel Survey (VATS) collated similar information, and included data on bicycle ownership, use and cyclist demographics. A series of reports was produced on the state of cycling in Melbourne.
Cycling in Melbourne – 1994 to 1996 [PDF, 754KB, 8pp]
Cycling in Melbourne – 1997 to 1999 [PDF, 778KB, 12pp]
Some Local Councils have been counting cyclist volumes on key cycling routes in their municipality for a number of years. This usually occurs on one day of the year during the two-hour AM peak (e.g. 7am – 9am). This information can be accessed by contacting individual Councils.
'Super Tuesday' is the name given to a manual count of cyclists taking place on the first Tuesday of March each year, lasting for two hours in the AM peak, between 7am and 9am. The count is organised by Bicycle Victoria (within Victoria), funded by individual Councils and covers most of the inner Melbourne area. The count also takes place in major towns outside Melbourne such as Bendigo and Geelong.
Reports are produced for each local government area and sent to the councils involved. Contact the relevant council for access to this information.
For more information visit Bicycle Victoria – Super Tuesday.