The most basic information about the amount of cyclist on a cycle track is counting data. This can be done manually (someone counts the number of cyclists passing by) or automatically. Automatic counters can be fixed (placed in the surface of the cycle track) or mobile so they can be easily moved to another place. With the counting data you can compare the amount of cyclists on a specific place over different days in the week, months or years. The increase, decrease and changes over time can be distinguished. This can be a first indicator to see if infrastructural changes have led to more cyclists. In that case it is important to count on several places on the new cycle track, and to count before the infrastructural improvements are made and after.
The method above does not provide information about the route people cycle, and where they come from and go to. To get insights in these traffic patterns, GPS-data can be a good solution. The data-collector is attached to the bike or cyclists and can be a specific logger or a mobile phone. The GPS-data allows you to get knowledge about route choice, speed, interruptions, popularity of routes and areas that are more often connected by bikes than others. Changes in the cycle network can be discovered with GPS-data that is collected over several months and years. For example, building a bridge to connect to cities with each other. With GPS-data you get insights in how many cyclists change their routes, how many new trips are made due to the new bridge. With that information the impact of the investment can be evaluated.
Cycling data 