Citizens collect data to support and improve cycling policy (Brussels, Belgium)
Area: urban
Date implemented: June 2017 to January 2018
How long from concept to implementation:It took only 6 months to initiate talks with Brussels and other partners, to ensure the technology and app were fit-for-purpose, to recruit cyclists, and to launch the pilot project on the streets of the city.
Relation between efforts undertaken and benefits achieved:Very good! The PING tool was successfully tested by cyclists, used by Brussels to support its cycling policies and, one year later, replicated in other cities.
What was done and how: To support and improve cycling policy in the Brussels Capital Region of Belgium, a participatory pilot project was launched in 2017 referred to as "PING If you care!"
This pilot project centered around an innovative tool called PING, which allows cities to finetune their cycling policies with the help of citizen science. In other words: by engaging cyclists themselves. Developed by Mobiel 21 and Bike Citizens, PING was used in Brussels to specifically collect data about cycling routes and bottlenecks in the city.
The innovative tool consists of two main elements: a PING button and the Bike Citizens app. The PING button is a small push button that a cyclist can conveniently attach to their bike’s handlebar, or to their clothing, and which is connected via Bluetooth to the Bike Citizens app on the cyclists' smartphone. When participating cyclists encountered an unsafe situation during a ride, they would simply press (or "ping") the button, which automatically marked the location in the app. When their bike journey finished, cyclists could add more information about the unsafe situation in the app, for example by adding a comment or a specific category. In total, almost a thousand cyclists joined the pilot project and recorded over 24,000 categorised pings!
Finally, the app gathered all of these pings on a detailed heatmap of cycling routes and bottlenecks, which Brussels then used to support and improve its cycling policies.
Why it worked to 'fast track' the innovation/measure: PING gave Brussels access to a vast amount of relevant and reliable data. Moreover, by adding analysis and policy recommendations to the raw data collected by cyclists, PING also directly supported cities like Brussels in reviewing or readjusting their cycling policies. This combination of data collection and data analysis is what helps accelerate the development of good cycling policies.
Lessons learnt: The pilot project in Brussels made clear that PING needs to: cooperate with a representative sample of cyclists; actively engage both stakeholders and cyclists throughout the duration of a campaign, which should be limited in time; and ensure that communication with stakeholders and cyclists continues even after the campaign has ended.
Tips for replication: After Brussels, PING campaigns were also launched in Amsterdam (2019) and Munich (2019). The campaign proved flexible, and adaptable to suit every city’s needs and wishes, both towards a specific neighbourhood or a specific target group (e.g. children in a school environment). Moreover, cities can use the tool not only to map cycling bottlenecks, but also to collect journey data (such as routes, speed and distance), to prioritise infrastructure investments, and to evaluate policy changes.
Sources or links:
- https://pingifyoucare.eu/
- PING leaflet (in English): https://www.mobiel21.be/assets/documents/PING-Leaflet-EN.pdf
Date implemented: June 2017 to January 2018
How long from concept to implementation:It took only 6 months to initiate talks with Brussels and other partners, to ensure the technology and app were fit-for-purpose, to recruit cyclists, and to launch the pilot project on the streets of the city.
Relation between efforts undertaken and benefits achieved:Very good! The PING tool was successfully tested by cyclists, used by Brussels to support its cycling policies and, one year later, replicated in other cities.
What was done and how: To support and improve cycling policy in the Brussels Capital Region of Belgium, a participatory pilot project was launched in 2017 referred to as "PING If you care!"
This pilot project centered around an innovative tool called PING, which allows cities to finetune their cycling policies with the help of citizen science. In other words: by engaging cyclists themselves. Developed by Mobiel 21 and Bike Citizens, PING was used in Brussels to specifically collect data about cycling routes and bottlenecks in the city.
The innovative tool consists of two main elements: a PING button and the Bike Citizens app. The PING button is a small push button that a cyclist can conveniently attach to their bike’s handlebar, or to their clothing, and which is connected via Bluetooth to the Bike Citizens app on the cyclists' smartphone. When participating cyclists encountered an unsafe situation during a ride, they would simply press (or "ping") the button, which automatically marked the location in the app. When their bike journey finished, cyclists could add more information about the unsafe situation in the app, for example by adding a comment or a specific category. In total, almost a thousand cyclists joined the pilot project and recorded over 24,000 categorised pings! Finally, the app gathered all of these pings on a detailed heatmap of cycling routes and bottlenecks, which Brussels then used to support and improve its cycling policies. Why it worked to 'fast track' the innovation/measure: PING gave Brussels access to a vast amount of relevant and reliable data. Moreover, by adding analysis and policy recommendations to the raw data collected by cyclists, PING also directly supported cities like Brussels in reviewing or readjusting their cycling policies. This combination of data collection and data analysis is what helps accelerate the development of good cycling policies.
Lessons learnt: The pilot project in Brussels made clear that PING needs to: cooperate with a representative sample of cyclists; actively engage both stakeholders and cyclists throughout the duration of a campaign, which should be limited in time; and ensure that communication with stakeholders and cyclists continues even after the campaign has ended.
Tips for replication: After Brussels, PING campaigns were also launched in Amsterdam (2019) and Munich (2019). The campaign proved flexible, and adaptable to suit every city’s needs and wishes, both towards a specific neighbourhood or a specific target group (e.g. children in a school environment). Moreover, cities can use the tool not only to map cycling bottlenecks, but also to collect journey data (such as routes, speed and distance), to prioritise infrastructure investments, and to evaluate policy changes.
Sources or links:
