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7 tips for properly analysing pedestrian/bike traffic

Measuring the number of pedestrians and cyclists is a crucial first step. But for these data to become really useful for planning, planning or daily management, you still need to know how to analyze them. Here are 7 concrete tips — based on field experiences, institutional recommendations (Bike & Territories, CEREMA, SDES...) and best practices — to make the most of your data.

compter frequentation

Measuring the number of pedestrians and cyclists is a crucial first step.
But for these data to become really useful for planning, planning or daily management, you still need to know how to analyze them.

Here are 7 concrete tips — based on field experiences and institutional recommendations (Bike & Territories, CEREMA, SDES...) and best practices — to make the most of your data.

1. Cross the data with the calendar

An exceptional day may not be exceptional... if it corresponds to a holiday or a local event. Integrating the calendar context (school vacations, extended weekends, weather, local events) makes it possible to correctly interpret peaks or troughs.

According to Vélo & Territories, the use of bike paths can drop by 30 to 60% on rainy days, and increase by up to +80% during a sunny weekend.

► For communities: Cross-referencing this data with scheduled events makes it possible to anticipate attendance and adapt services (maintenance, security, signage).

Take into account vacations, events, weather... Here, a downpour on February 25 explains a drop in attendance

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2. Compare equivalent periods

Comparing April to January makes little sense. To assess the impact of a development or to monitor changes, it is necessary to compare equivalent periods: same month, same day of the week, similar weather conditions.

CEREMA recommends comparing “before-and-after” data over at least two weeks per period.

► For managers of natural or tourist sites: this makes it possible to check whether an equipment (parking, trail, shuttle) really meets the evolution of attendance.

Before/after, yes. But by comparing similar periods: same season, same month.
Here the October peak is expected, but the drop in August is abnormal (weather, works?)

3. Make the extremes speak

A peak in attendance, an unexpected low? Atypical values can reveal specific uses, points of tension or opportunities to be seized.

On a busy greenway, a peak of +150% was observed on an extended holiday. This peak led to the rethinking of the main access, a source of congestion and conflicts of use.

► For event organizers: this makes it possible to adjust entrances and exits, to reinforce reception or security on critical days.

A record day? An unexplained trough?
These are often the most useful signals.

4. Analyze flows by time slot

The temporality of flows makes it possible to understand the uses:

  • Peak at 8 am and 6 pm → commute to and from work
  • Mid-day → leisure or tourism
  • Early morning/evening → sporting or seasonal activity

The Active Mobility Barometer (SDES) indicates that 60% of urban cycling trips take place before 9 am and after 5 pm during the week.

► For urban planners: this hourly reading makes it possible to design safe itineraries at the right times.
► For mountain managers: this makes it possible to identify the areas where the tracks are overused.

8 am and 6 pm: home and work commute
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: leisure or tourism
Morning/evening: sports practices

5. Take into account the directions of passage

Two-way counters make it possible to distinguish between trips and returns, and therefore to refine the reading:

  • Imbalances between upstreams/downflows
  • Misused buckle
  • One-way footpath

A station manager observed very asymmetric attendance on a marked loop: 80% of users took the opposite direction to the markings. Result: a reconfiguration of the departure streamlined the flows.

Round trip or one-way trip?
Understanding the direction helps to understand the use.

6. Beware of averages

An annual average can hide the essentials:

  • One day at 1,000 crossings
  • Another one at 50 only

An average of 400 passes/day can give the illusion of regular use, while reality shows critical peaks, sources of tension or occasional overload.

► For green space managers: It is better to reason in time slots or target days to adjust maintenance, safety or equipment.

942 passes/day... but 1,200 some days, 300 others?
Averages mask peaks.

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7. Confront the numbers in the field

Data is valuable, but never a substitute for real observation:

  • Is there an unexpected detour?
  • A congestion point?
  • A poorly perceived layout?

A community discovered, thanks to a sudden drop in flows, that an informal crossing had been closed without communication. Attendance has recovered after reorganization and adapted signage.

► Involve technical agents, site managers or users enriches reading and validates hypotheses.

One number does not explain everything.
Observe, question, confront to refine the analysis

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In summary

Analyzing attendance properly means transforming raw data into informed decisions.
For local authorities, managers of natural or cultural sites, and mobility operators, it is a lever for:

✅ Plan better
✅ Adapting services
✅ Justify investments
✅ Improve the quality of use

Bonus: some useful tools

At Kiomda, we support you

From collection to interpretation: counting, analysis, visualization.
We transform your flows into management levers.

📩 Want to discuss it? Contact us.
🧠 To manage a territory well, you must start by understanding it.

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