Transforming Commercial Arterials into Bicycle Highways: Using Count Data

Transforming Commercial Arterials into Bicycle Highways: Using Count Data

Streaming Media

Date

2-9-2023

Description

Count data for cyclists and pedestrians is considered an essential tool for city builders to inform, justify and manage active transportation infrastructure. When automated bike counters are strategically deployed across an urban area, a clear picture emerges of how cyclists move around the city. This presentation focuses on how count data can be used to illustrate modal shifts in response to improvements made to a city’s bicycle network.

In November 2020, the City of Montreal introduced the Reseau Express Velo (REV), or Express Bike Network, effectively transforming a network of arterials throughout the city into Complete Streets by repurposing vehicles lanes into dedicated AAA bicycle pathways. Using data from automated bicycle counters installed throughout the city, it was found that the REV bicycle paths became the most highly used facility in the entire city within six months of installation.

Using count data from automated pedestrian and bicycle Eco-counters, as well as open vehicle count data from the City of Montreal, both collected before and after the REV was deployed on Saint-Denis Street, Eco-Counter performed a study to reveal new transport habits and assess modal shift. Sales data collected by the City of Montreal was also used to support the changes.

Biographical Information

Nicholas Smith, Client Consultant, Eco-Counter

Nicholas is a native Montrealer who loves walking and cycling all year round, regardless of the weather. He is passionate about the power of data to support better cycling and walking infrastructure. Nicholas helps governments and groups design counting programs that lead to actionable insights for programs, projects and plans that support active transportation.

Disciplines

Transportation | Urban Studies | Urban Studies and Planning

Transforming Commercial Arterials into Bicycle Highways: Using Count Data

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