Cycling Traffic Index User Survey

The Department for Transport is seeking views on the future of the Cycling Traffic Index statistics series.

In spring 2023, the Department introduced the monthly Cycling Traffic Index, a new series of Official Statistics utilising automated cycle count data collected through a sample of road traffic counters capable of counting all types of road vehicle. This series succeeded another relatively new statistical series, specifically the reported daily usage of cycling, reported as part of DfT’s Daily Domestic Transport Usage Statistics, that began as part of COVID-19 pandemic reporting from March 2020 onwards and was built from a wider range of data sources.

Following an internal review of statistical resource, its deployment and relative statistical priorities – reflecting on user feedback and usage of figures – we have decided to suspend the Cycling Traffic Index, effective immediately. This is with a view to ending the statistical series.

In considering this action the Code of Practice for Statistics asks us to consider both the Value and the Quality of the statistics in question. On Quality, we note a limitation in the methodology highlighted by known users in terms of data granularity compared to other sources of cycling data, such as the National Travel Survey (NTS). NTS can offer greater granularity in terms of understanding cycling uptake, including splits by journey purpose, regional geography and personal characteristics. Such limitations also appear to limit the Value of the series, as it is largely only able to report the national trend in cycling activity compared to a historical baseline. We would observe that in recent periods the trend has been very stable, and indeed close to pre-pandemic levels. Whilst the Cycling Traffic Index is able to provide more timely updates on this than other series, the Value of this insight is diminished compared to when cycling activity was more volatile, particularly with the NTS now providing cycling activity estimates twice a year. After reflecting on these points, we are recommending that the series is discontinued.

We are inviting your views on this subject and ask that you give us you feedback on this, via this short survey. Any questions relating to the above should be directed to: vehicles.stats@dft.gov.uk