Bike riding numbers are back to pre-COVID levels in most places across Hobart and female riders have embraced e-bikes, this year’s Super Tuesday commuter count reveals.
The bounce-back exceptions are sites in Sandy Bay, which are seeing fewer students and staff due to more city campuses and online learning, and sites along the Intercity Cycleway.
Increases were recorded at most sites in the city centre, with some recording all-time highs. Molle and Collins streets recorded 147 riders and at Bathurst and Elizabeth streets 83 riders were counted. Other sites recording close to their highest numbers included Bathurst and Harrington streets, and Murray and Warwick streets.
The number of bike movements through intersections counted increased from 2651 to 3793, while the number of e-scooter movements remained the same at 460. This year's weather was also fine, dry and settled compared to previous years where rain and wind had dampening effects on rider turnout.
This was the first year counters noted whether riders were on standard bikes or e-bikes. Close to one in four riders were on an e-bike – 23% of all bikes counted.
Women made up 43% of e-bike riders, which compares starkly to the 24% of women who were counted riding a standard bike.
E-bikes are favoured by riders carrying loads, including small children, and riders who aim to get to their destination without sweating.
The counts noted that e-bikes were not confined to steeper areas and users were widespread across greater Hobart.
Infrastructure measure
The Super Tuesday counts help councils plan for dedicated cycling routes and understand the impact of different types of cycling infrastructure.
One of the standout sites during the count on Tuesday 5 March this year was the Rose Garden Bridge, which connects the Queens Domain with the city at Bathurst and Campbell streets.
The baseline number of riders just before the bridge was finished was just 67. On Bicycle Network's 2024 count day, 125 people rode through the intersection, most using the bridge in both directions. Some of these riders have shifted from using the roundabout underpass, but counts showed a 33% increase in the number of riders using the bridge compared to the roundabout.