BiciZen is a collaborative platform that aims to make city regions more bikeable. The platform allows users to share data and information about cycling. For example, cyclists can share info about bicycle parking, theft, safety, conflicts with other road users, or obstructions in cycle paths. It also allows cyclists to make suggestions for improvements to cycling infrastructure and report positive cycling experiences. The platform may also be used by activists, city planners and researchers who would like to document and study cycling phenomena. The data collected on the BiciZen platform provides a permanent and long-term record of cycling related issues and phenomena. Moreover, this data is open and free for anyone to use. More information at bicizen.org.
Over the past two years, BiciZen has evolved from a concept into a dynamic and collaborative platform, with the mission of enhancing urban cycling experiences across city regions. Our journey began as a dedicated team of urban planners, geographers, engineers, and computer scientists, driven by the vision of facilitating urban mobility, encouraging public engagement, and promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. Building on this foundation, we developed a citizen science platform that empowers cyclists by providing them with valuable travel information while simultaneously supporting cities in their transition towards a low-carbon, bike-friendly future.
Our initial concept proposed the creation of an intuitive crowdsourcing tool that would bridge the gap between cyclists, local and regional governance, and researchers, enabling users to contribute geo-located commentary, experiences, photos, and data regarding cycling infrastructure. The focus remained on aspects critical to cyclists, such as cycle path maintenance, bike parking, and the prevention of theft. Throughout this journey, we expanded our horizons, mobilizing the European cycling community to uncover insights and patterns in bike movements, road conditions, parking availability, and theft, fostering a sense of collective responsibility. BiciZen is now a beacon for cyclists, city planners, activists, and researchers alike, serving as a dynamic repository of cycling-related information that is open and accessible to all, fostering a more bikeable urban landscape. Explore the transformative potential of BiciZen at bicizen.org as we continue our commitment to sustainable urban mobility and community engagement.