The City of Montreal has launched its own open-data platform to track and publish cyclist traffic [1, 2, 3].
This transition marks a shift toward municipal control over urban mobility data. By removing the intermediary, the city aims to ensure that traffic statistics remain publicly accessible and transparent for urban planning purposes [1, 3].
The move follows the cancellation of a contract with Eco-Counter, the third-party company that previously managed the data [1, 2, 3]. The city stopped paying the private firm after ending the agreement, reports said [1, 3]. Eco-Counter had installed dozens [4] of bike counters across Montreal before the contract was terminated [4].
There is conflicting information regarding the immediate availability of this data. Some reports state the city has already launched the new open-data platform to track cyclists [1, 2]. However, other reports indicate that bike-traffic data will not be available over the coming months following the cessation of payments to the private firm [3].
The city's decision to internalize the counting process is intended to provide a sustainable way to monitor the usage of its cycling infrastructure. By managing the platform directly, Montreal avoids the risks associated with third-party contract disputes, and ensures the data remains an open resource for the public [1, 3].
“The City of Montreal has launched its own open-data platform to track and publish cyclist traffic.”
This move reflects a growing trend among municipal governments to treat urban mobility data as a public utility rather than a proprietary service. By ending its reliance on Eco-Counter, Montreal is attempting to secure long-term data sovereignty, though the conflicting reports on data availability suggest a potentially rocky transition period for city planners and transit advocates.
