Data-driven insights for cycling infrastructure
Governments are investing hundreds of millions in active transport, but most cities lack the data to spend it wisely. Party Onbici provides the crowdsourced cycling data that transforms infrastructure planning from guesswork into evidence-based decision making.
Cities are building blind
Most cities rely on fixed-position counters and manual surveys that can only tell you how many cyclists pass a single point. They can't tell you where those cyclists came from, where they're going, or who they are.
Without route data, demographic insights, and before-and-after measurement, infrastructure decisions are based on incomplete information. The result: projects vulnerable to political challenge because there's no comprehensive evidence base to defend them.
Read: Why Cities Need Better Cycling DataWhen bike lanes get removed
Without hard data demonstrating usage, growth trends, and community benefit, cycling infrastructure becomes an easy target. Across Australia, council elections have seen candidates campaign on platforms of removing bike lanes.
When the only evidence is anecdotal, opponents have the upper hand. Data changes that equation entirely. The best defence against 'nobody uses it' is data that proves everybody does.
Read: When Bike Lanes Get RemovedCrowdsourced data fills the gaps
The most effective approach combines traditional fixed counters with smartphone-based crowdsourced data. Together, they create a comprehensive picture of cycling activity across your entire network.
Route Popularity Data
See complete origin-to-destination journeys, not just counts at specific locations. Identify high-traffic corridors, desire lines, and the network gaps where riders are forced onto unsafe roads.
Infrastructure Insights
Understand where cyclists need better bike lanes, safer intersections, and more secure parking. Rider-reported data on surface issues, hazards, and safety concerns provides a real-time feedback loop.
Policy & SUMP Support
Access the measurable indicators that Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans require. Set credible baselines, define specific targets, and provide continuous monitoring instead of periodic snapshots.
Community Engagement
Riders who contribute data become invested in the outcomes. Partner with local cycling groups and Bicycle User Groups to build a collaborative approach to data collection and infrastructure planning.
Before & After Measurement
Establish baseline measurements before construction begins and track changes after completion. Measure ridership volume, demographic shifts, route changes, and safety indicators for every project.
Privacy-First Data
All data is aggregated and anonymised. Get the insights you need for planning while fully respecting cyclist privacy, GDPR, LGPD, and other data protection regulations.
Traditional methods vs. crowdsourced data
| Data Need | Fixed Counters | Crowdsourced Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Volume at key points | Strong | Moderate |
| Network-wide routes | Not possible | Strong |
| Demographics | Not possible | Strong |
| Real-time feedback | Limited | Strong |
| Before/after analysis | Single point | Network-wide |
| Cost per data point | High (hardware) | Low (software) |
Stronger applications, better plans
Data-driven proposals are more competitive. Whether you're applying for national active transport funding, state cycling grants, or EU structural funds, comprehensive cycling data strengthens every section of your application.
For cities with SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) requirements, crowdsourced data provides the measurable indicators, credible baselines, and continuous monitoring frameworks that regulators require.
The cities that invest in better cycling data today will build better infrastructure tomorrow, and they'll have the evidence to prove it.
Understand who is riding, not just how many
Demographic data transforms the conversation about cycling infrastructure. Research shows that safety is the number one barrier for women cyclists, with 64% saying separated cycleways were the most important factor in their route choice.
If you don't know who is riding in your area, and who isn't riding but would if conditions improved, you're planning for the riders you can see, not the ridership you could unlock.
Five steps to better cycling data
You don't need to overhaul your entire data collection approach overnight.
Audit
Review your existing data sources and identify the biggest gaps. Most councils discover their data is point-based, periodic, and demographic-blind.
Define
Identify the specific questions you need data to answer for your next infrastructure project. Route data, demographic insights, safety feedback.
Pilot
Run a 6-month pilot with a crowdsourced data platform alongside your existing tools. A pilot can provide more actionable data than years of manual surveys.
Integrate
Bring cycling data dashboards to your planning meetings, funding applications, and public reporting. Publish usage data regularly to build political resilience.
Engage
Partner with local cycling groups and community organisations as data partners. Riders who contribute data become invested in the outcomes.
Build better cycling infrastructure with data
Party Onbici works with councils and transport agencies to provide crowdsourced cycling data, analytics dashboards, and infrastructure insights. Whether you're planning your first cycleway or optimising an existing network, better data leads to better outcomes.