Walking and cycling data - Practice, challenges, needs and gaps
The challenge
Unlike cars, public transport, and new mobility solutions data on pedestrians and cyclists is not systematically collected, has limitations and can be difficult to compare and benchmark. But data on walking and cycling is important for cities in order to set goals and targets, create the policies needed to reach these goals, to track progress and make decisions about investments in infrastructure and planning measures that support walking and cycling. Lack of data also means that walking and cycling is often missing or overlooked in the transport and mobility ecosystem – because what is not measured does not count. Often pedestrians and cyclists only become visible in data when they get hurt or die in accidents. Lack of data also means lack of knowledge about why different people are not walking and cycling – at all or in specific streets or areas. Data is put simply a way of creating awareness and making the invisible visible.
Our approach
Through surveys and interview se investigated how 18 public authorities practise, needs and challenges in relation to walking and cycling data and benchmarked the available data sources against the most common indicators.
Bicycle account 2019-20 – City of Aarhus
The challenge
Since 2009 the City of Aarhus has biannually collected data on a broad range of cycling indicators to benchmark how they were doing – both in regards to their own goals and in relation to other cities. The are approaching the end of of their strategy periode.
What we did
We collected and analysed cycling data on infrastructure, parking, accidents etc. and carried out survey of children's transport to school and citizen's survey on behaviour and satisfaction. All data was then disseminated graphically and benchmarked with the city's goals in a report.
Effect
The bicycle account was presented and accepted by the local politicians and will serve as starting point when the city set targets and develops new goals for cycling and mobility in the city.International benchmark of knowledge and innovation in cycling for City of Copenhagen
The challenge
Cycling is decreasing in Denmark. City of Copenhagen wanted us to do an international benchmark of knowledge and innovation in cycling area. The benchmark cover 4 areas:
- Cycle data
- Academic research
- Europeans knowledge centres for cycling
- Innovative cycling solutions
- Infrastructure solutions
- Mobility services with a focus on cycling
- Tools and methods for planning for cycling
Our approach
Our international team interviewed planners, academic researchers and collected over 300 innovative solutions from our international network.
The result
Benchmark report with results and a inspiration catalogue with 100 cycling innovations.
Potentials and barriers for city logistics by bicycle
The Challenge
Business cases and benchmarking for delivering parcels by cargo bikes.
Our approach
Desktop research, stakeholder interviews and analysis of parcel delivery data from a parcel distributor company.
The result
Increased knowledge and public awareness of potentials and barriers for parcel distribution by cargo bike.
Bicycle tourism in Germany
Description
Cycling tourism has been booming in Germany over the past 10 years. The Road Directorate in Denmark wanted to learn more about what is being done in Germany and look into what could potentially be implemented in Denmark and asked us to map cycling tourism in Germany – how is cycling tourism organized, which stakeholders are involved, who are the cycling tourists and what do they want.
Scope
- Desk research
- Interviews
- Report
Client The Road Directorate
Delivery period 10/2022-12/2022
Traffic safety study on two-way cycling on one-way street
The challenge
Allowing two-way cycling on one-way street has recently been added to Finnish legislation. There is very limited data and information available on this traffic solution. One of the key questions was; is the bicycle lane needed in the beginning and in the end of the segment?
What we did
Ramboll used the machine vision to survey and visualize the use of the recently added traffic solution before and after marking the bicycle lane. We could determine the car drivers and cyclists driving and riding position, moving directions and possible safety problems.
Effect
The survey will help to understand people’s behaviour on street and planning the safe solutions. The results will help to determine the right solutions in the street planning manuals.