Bike Counts

Traffic and bike counts are essential to transportation planning and infrastructure development in the capital region. We run two count programs, automated and volunteer, to collect data on bike and pedestrian traffic.

Visit the Regional Transportation page to find out more about our transportation plans and active transportation initiatives.

• Regional Transportation

Automated Counts

We have set up automated bike and pedestrian counters around the region to track annual and seasonal trends. These counters use specialized sensors to differentiate between bikes and other users, and also record the direction of travel. The counters provide real-time data that updates daily.

We work with partners like the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich, City of Colwood, Township of Esquimalt and the University of Victoria to offer a single access point for all automated counts in the region.

• Automated Count Data

Volunteer Counts

Since 2011, we have been counting bike volumes with the help of volunteers. We use a method recommended by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

• National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project.

  Counts are done during peak commuting times, when most people are traveling to and from work or school. This usually happens twice a day:

• Morning: 7am to 9am
• Afternoon: 3pm to 6pm

Our volunteers count bikes twice a year, in May and in October. We do all the counting in one day, usually on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Be careful when comparing year-over-year changes because these are short counts and factors like the weather can affect the numbers. Comparing counts at different stations during the same period can help reduce these differences.

• Volunteer Count Data

Bike Count Volunteers

Bicycle counters are valued members of the data collection team. If you are interested in volunteering, please send us an email.