Cycle Winchester counted cyclists at ten locations in the city on a single morning between 8 and 10am, once in the winter and once in the summer. This survey was started in 2022 so this is the first chance to make year-on-year comparisons.
Our report is due to be published soon but we don’t mind sharing some key findings here. Whilst there are localised fluctuations the headline news is a remarkable consistency in overall numbers between the two years as seen in the table below.
Winter 8-9 am | Winter 9-10 am | Summer 8-9 am | Summer 9-10 am | |
2022 | 232 | 125 | 303 | 178 |
2023 | 225 | 121 | 300 | 196 |
% change | -3% | -3% | -1% | +10% |
We are disappointed, of course to see no upward trend in the data. On the other hand, we believe it validates our survey to the extent that there is no significant change locally that might precipitate an increase in cycle movements, other than perhaps a worsening economic situation. Consistency in the figures between years is therefore a good indication that our methodology is capturing meaningful data.
We will certainly be using these results to challenge – and embarrass – our city and county leaders who set targets for modal change in transport but clearly are not doing what is required to effect meaningful change at the speed required.
The reduction in bike movements from the pre-9am hour to the post-9am hour was very similar for winter and summer in both years: -46% v -41% respectively in 2022 and -46% v -35% in 2023. In the same way, the increase in cycle movements from winter to summer is quite consistent between 2022 and 2032, +35% and +43% respectively.
Taken together these results have led Cycle Winchester to conclude that in the interests of managing our efforts effectively, future counts will be carried out from 8 to 9 am, summer only!
Cycle Winchester initiated the cycle count due to a lack of information. Our findings can drive the narrative until someone collects better data. To that end we have recently learned that HCC have plans to experiment with lamp-post mounted video cameras in the near future. That is certainly something to be welcomed. We hope to be able to work collaboratively with them in order to build the best possible picture of cycle use in our city.