There’s a fancy new gadget on the Fremont Bridge, and its sole purpose is to count bicyclists.

Last week, the Cascade Bicycle Club and the Seattle Department of Transportation unveiled the new bicycle counter totem, which was installed at the north end of the Fremont Bridge. The totem is more than seven feet tall and has a digital display of the number of bicyclists who cross it during the day. There is also a graphic indicating the number of cyclists since the beginning of the year.

“The location on the Fremont Bridge is ideal because this is the busiest bridge for bike traffic in the city and the state, and there is a good mix of commute and recreational trips through the area,” said Chuck Ayers, executive director of the Cascade Bicycle Club. “We are delighted to help bring a bike counter to Seattle to show that bicycling counts here.

The “eco-totem,” as it’s called, will count bicyclists 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The data will supplement the spot counts already taken three times each quarter at 50 locations around the city. The data will identify how various factors -- such as weather, construction projects and holidays -- affect bicycle trips. Data is downloaded once a day and is available to see at www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikecounter.htm.

The Cascade Bicycle Club acquired the Eco-Totem and gave it to the city. The funding, $30,000 for purchase, installation and maintenance for the first year was provided by the Mark and Susan Torrance Foundation.