Townsville takes part in Super Tuesday bike count
Date published: 6 September 2016
Townsville will conduct an annual count of bike riders this morning to help better plan the city’s future transport needs.
The count is jointly funded by the Townsville City Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads and is part of Super Tuesday, Australia’s largest annual bike survey.
Bicycle Network Victoria coordinates Super Tuesday on behalf of participating councils and government agencies.
Townsville joined the national count in 2011.
Counters, including volunteers from local bicycle groups, will be positioned at 42 locations around the city to record bike numbers and movements between 7-9am.
Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee chairman Cr Mark Molachino said the count provided a good snapshot of the number of cyclists and the routes they use.
“The count is a great opportunity to follow trends from year to year in planning for the city’s future transport needs,” Cr Molachino said.
“Townsville has 385km of bike paths and lanes and the count informs the council and the department on how people are using the network at a peak time of the day.”
Counters will be set up at major intersections, popular routes and pathways along the city’s recreational and road networks.
Volunteers who signed up to take part in the survey receive $50 to nominate towards a charity, community organisation, school or their bicycle group.
In past years the Ross River Pathway network has been the most utilised section of the network.
More information about Super Tuesday is available by visiting https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/for-government-and-business/459/
