Zwolle Makes Cycling More Visible: Real-Time Feedback and Encouraging Cycling in Public Spaces
Customer
Solution
Platform
Program
Application
The challenge: measuring bicycle traffic and motivating cyclists at the same time
The City of Zwolle wanted to do more than just count the number of cyclists passing by. The goal was to show cyclists right away that their ride counts and to give them a positive incentive at the right moment. At the same time, the solution had to provide reliable and actionable data for policy and campaigns.
The combination of measurement and communication places different demands on a system than a traditional counter. The display had to show the count at the exact moment a cyclist rode past, not a delayed reading from a previous passerby. This requires a technical approach in which sensor placement, speed measurement, and display control are precisely coordinated.
In addition, the location was a factor: the solution had to be compact, clearly visible in public spaces, and align with the broader objective of the European MegaBITS program to integrate cycling data and promote cycling.
The solution: two Signum sensors and a flag-shaped display for true real-time feedback
Zwolle has opted for a flag-shaped display, double-sided and mounted 2.5 meters above ground level. This makes the display clearly visible to cyclists traveling in both directions while keeping it compact in the public space.
Two Signum sensors were used for the measurement, positioned approximately 43 meters on either side of the display. The Signum measures not only the number of cyclists and their direction, but also their speed. This allows the system to calculate the exact moment a cyclist passes the display. The count on the display is updated at the exact moment of passage, so that the cyclist immediately sees their own ride reflected in the count.
The municipality can also use the display to show motivational messages that tie in with campaigns, seasons, or current topics. Examples:
- “Going to work? It’s just a short bike ride.”
- “1 kilometer = 35 calories burned.”
The display is therefore not just a counter, but also a communication point along the route that actively helps encourage cycling.
“Cyclists see their own ride appear in the count as they pass by. That makes the feedback immediate and tangible.”
The result: visible efforts to promote cycling and actionable data for policy-making
Zwolle now has a system that serves two purposes at once. Cyclists receive immediate, visible recognition for their choice to cycle. The city has access to reliable, real-time cycling data via the MyCycleTraffic platform: traffic volume, direction, and speeds are continuously visible.
The data is also made available through the NDW Dexter portal, making it more widely accessible for analysis and policy-making. In doing so, Zwolle is aligning itself with a broader data strategy in which local measurements contribute to a national understanding of cycling behavior.
The project demonstrates that reliable bicycle traffic monitoring and active promotion of cycling go hand in hand. By making smart use of technology, public spaces become places where cycling is not only monitored but also encouraged.