Help us make an impact by collecting cycling data across Nova Scotia!

Two people cycling on a flat, gravel rail trail

Bicycle Nova Scotia is looking for bicycle enthusiasts from across the province to count cyclists wherever you like to ride. Whether it is your favourite trail, a popular road loop, or your local section of Blue Route, we need you to pick a spot and observe cyclists for 2 hours, using a simple phone app.

The Pedal Poll is being conducted in 14 cities across Canada, filling an important gap in cycling data

This count is being done as part of the Pedal Poll, Canada’s first national count of cycling. Vélo Canada Bikes is leading this project in 14 cities across Canada, including Halifax.  This count will help to fill the gap of cycling data in Canada, with a focus on capturing COVID-19 travel patterns, working towards inclusion and addressing climate change. 

Outside of Halifax, BNS needs your help to make sure cyclists are counted in your local area

We are asking for a single two-hour shift from each volunteer, 2 hours on Saturday or Sunday (June 5 & 6) in a location of your choice, that is important to the local cycling community. While the project is mainly looking at cycling in built up urban areas, we know that cycling in Nova Scotia looks a bit different and we want to gather the data to see how. For Nova Scotian cyclists outside of Halifax, we want to work with you to get a snapshot of cycling in your local area. 

TO PARTICIPATE!

  1. Sign up with Velo Canada Bikes and indicate that you will conduct a count in “Other”. You will get more information, including a link to the online training video for the count app, once you sign up.
  2. Send us an email to let us know where in Nova Scotia you are interested in counting. We would be happy to help you determine the best location!

BNS has identified some places in the map below where cycling counts might be useful, though are counting on local experts to work with us and determine the final locations. The locations should be important to your local community, and consider the following factors: 

  • Sites where counts have been done before and automated counters are located
  • Different types of sites (primarily commuter, primarily recreational, mixed)  
  • High, medium and lower volume areas (not no volume sites)
  • Equity in how sites are distributed (e.g. higher and lower income and/or racialized communities)
  • Different types of infrastructure

Let’s show the rest of Canada what Nova Scotia cycling is all about!

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