Seattle bicyclists can now ride and be counted.

On Thursday, an “Eco-Totem” was unveiled on the Fremont Bridge. Paid for by the Mark and Susan Torrance Foundation and given to the City of Seattle by the Cascade Bicycle Club, the Eco-Totem is now counting all bicycles crossing the bridge in either direction.

City staffers expect a million bike trips a year on what is reputed to be the bridge with the most bike traffic in the state.

The $30,000 counter displays how many bikes have crossed each day and has a thermometer reading of the accumulated rides since the start of each year.

The information will be used in transportation research. Plus, it should encourage more people to ride once they know how many others are taking to the streets on two wheels.

If you want to keep track without riding to the Fremont Bridge, check the Seattle Department of Transportation site.

Photo: The SDOT web site shows that more than 3,000 bicyclists crossed the Fremont Bridge on the day the counter was installed.