What Counts, Counts—But What’s Actually Being Counted?

Rory Wilmer
Jul 9
2 min read

I’ve already said my piece about Fender Lane, the council process, and the bigger picture for Wirral. My white paper stands for itself. But watching how the numbers keep getting quoted and debated, I thought it’s worth sharing a quick data lesson for anyone curious about what these statistics really mean.

Not All Cyclist Counts Are Created Equal

Cycle counters measure passings, not people. If you ride to work and back, you’re counted twice. If you do laps, you might be counted ten times.
Group rides and repeat journeys inflate totals well beyond the actual number of unique individuals cycling.

How Sensors Actually Work (and Sometimes Misfire)

Calibration matters: If a sensor isn’t set up precisely for a specific location, it can over- or under-count.
False triggers: Cycle sensors can sometimes be set off by scooters, pushchairs, mobility aids, or even small motorcycles, depending on their calibration and the environment.
Closely spaced bikes or unusual movements: A school group, a family ride, or kids weaving can confuse the system—sometimes undercounting, sometimes overcounting.

How “Averages” Get Big

Imputation: If there are gaps in the data, the averages may be “filled in” with busier weeks, boosting the headline figure.

Selective periods: Focusing only on the best months or post-pandemic data ignores the quieter days and historic baselines.
Combining sensors: If counts from multiple sensors are added together on the same corridor, it’s easy to double-count many journeys.

The Headline vs. Reality

So when you hear “120 cyclists per day,” that’s not 120 different people. It’s 120 sensor crossings—however they happen.

No Criticism—Just Clarity

This isn’t about catching anyone out. It’s just a reminder that data can tell very different stories, depending on how it’s collected and presented. Good decisions start with clear communication and shared definitions.

For anyone interested in the real numbers, all my work is public at www.inkbyte.co.uk/cycling .

That’s it from me.