Cycle count data

Bike count data in Wellington

Magnetic counters across Wellington record bike trips at specific locations. These provide 24/7 data, showing daily and seasonal trends. Over time, we expect bike trips to increase as a safe, connected bike network extends through suburbs and the central city - something seen in cities worldwide.

How the counters work

The counters detect most but not all bike trips. Factors like bike type, position on the road, and number of people on a single bike can affect counts. This means the data helps show trends over time, but not exact numbers. For comparisons over time, it’s easier to focus on individual counters. You can track daily or seasonal changes and see if or when the counter was offline.

Data update

Data updates were paused due to several magnetic counters malfunctioning. We waited until these were repaired and all counter data from June 2024 to March 2025 was reviewed for reliability. That review is now complete and you can read the findings. The review shows that the counters are returning data of variable reliability. So, while the data provides useful insight into long-term trends on key routes, it is best understood alongside other data sources. 

Transition to new data collection tools

We’re transitioning to Vivacity smart sensors. A tick icon on the map below indicates where a counter has been closed. We are transitioning to comparable Vivacity technology where this is available for these counters.