Super Tuesday Bicycle Count

I participated as a counter in the Super Tuesday Bicycle Count between 7:00 and 9:00 am this morning (14/09/10) at the intersection of England Road and Samford Road Ferny Hills. The bike numbers were not large but were interesting.

It is probably unacceptable statistically to ‘interpret’ the results from a single site. Nevertheless some observations might be helpful.

Understandably the greatest flow on this site is along Samford Road to Ferny Grove. England Road is a relatively insignificant local connection.

Samford Road is popular with recreational cyclists. If you did the count on a weekend the bike numbers would be much higher. I think this attests to the fact that the road while pretty hilly is ‘cyclable’ for a reasonably fit enthusiastic cyclist.

However it would take a brave or foolhardy cyclist to tackle it during the main commuter flow between 7:00 to 9:00am.

While I was setting up and taking photos from 6:45 to 7:00 three cyclists passed (uncounted) heading towards Ferny Grove. No doubt these enthusiasts timed their trip early to avoid the peak commuter flow. Between 7:00 and 9:00am there were only two one shortly after 7:00 and one just before 9:00.

My interpretation is that numbers between 7:00 and 9:00 are constrained by lack of cycling facilities rather than a lack of interest in cycling.

Another influence may be that Ferny Grove railway station is the NW terminus of the Ferny Grove line. A lot of people commute from Samford to Ferny Grove. It is not permitted to take bikes on trains between the hours of 7:00 to 9:00am. There are bike lockers at the station but no showers or other facilities. It is a further 16km into the city where there are two fully equipped cycle centres.

I wonder how many cyclists would commute from Samford to Ferny Grove if the old (nicely graded) rail bed was converted into a safe cycleway and showers were provided at FG Station.

[b]Please let me know by PM if you might consider volunteering for the next one (March or September 2011 – T.B.A)(you have to register before you can PM)[/b]