System Overview
Intuitively, it’s quite clear that people prefer to bike in good weather conditions. The Eco-Visio weather module allows you to analyze the relationship between cycling demand and weather with greater precision.
When cycling data are overlaid with weather information, the data can be much clearer and easier to read – atypical counts can often be explained by the weather. Weather data and bike counts can be paired with surveys to better understand user commuting preferences. With this information, Cities can take informed actions to increase the year-round cycling mode share.
If you want to benefit from this new feature and add perspective to your data, do not hesitate to contact your local Eco-Counter representative.
Montreal : extreme weather influences bike demand
Montreal experiences a long, cold winter. Montreal’s cycling community faces a number of climatic challenges throughout the year, but the greatest challenge is during the cold winter months. Counts taken from an on-street bike lane in the city-center and cross-referenced with local weather data show a clear correlation between bad weather (heavy rainfall and snow, and low temperatures) and a decrease of bike usage.
This relationship between weather and cycling in Montreal has been validated thanks to accurate cycling data and the Eco-Visio weather module.
Houston : high temperatures decrease bike use
In Houston, Texas, the impact of weather is different than in Montreal. Houston experiences extreme heat in the summer with heavy rain. Cycling in these conditions, without shade can be unpleasant and possibly dangerous.
Weather and count data suggests that recreational cycling is more common than commuter cycling. Firstly, weekends and holidays have the highest cycling volume. Secondly, during the summer months, the peak hourly cycling period coincides with sunrise and sunset, when the temperature is lower and shade is more common.
Portland : highly resistant to weather fluctuation
The relationship between weather and bicycle use varies from one city to the next. Cyclists in the region of Portland have adapted exceptionally well to the local winter conditions. The winter cycling retention rate (the proportion of cyclist who ride year-round) in Portland is among the highest in North America. In the winter, daily cycling volume is not significantly impacted by rain and cold temperatures.
Commuter cyclists in Portland appear undeterred when it comes to rain. This provides fuel for those who claim Portland to be America’s Bicycle Capital!
