Develop an easy way for everyday bicycle commuters to log their commutes (either by logging onto a website similar to mapmyride.com or having it automatically logged through a smart phone app.) such that the aggregate data of their commutes are displayed on a map (perhaps a google map).

• The map could have multiple helpful effects:

  • It could be used to inform decisions about where to prioritize transportation infrastructure improvements to encourage increased levels of bicycle commuting. Currently, urban planners do not have good statistics about bicycle commuting, in terms of how many bikers are commuting, from where to where they are commuting, and the routes they are taking. Knowing such information could help planners both prioritize projects designed to make bicycle commuting more attractive, and have the data to convince stakeholders to support the projects.

  • An easy to read map showing bicycle commuter routes would encourage more people to commute by bike (because they see just how many other people are biking)

  • The map could also help biker be more safe by encouraging them to all use the same route (a biker on a street with lots of other bikers is safer than a biker on a street rarely used by other bikers).

  • Bike commuting itself has many health benefits, as well as the many environmental benefits that come with reduced use of cars for transportation needs.

• Subject Matter Expert: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin (1kfriends.com)