The transport sector accounts for a fifth of global CO2 emissions. The UK Government targets 50% of short trips to be by active travel modes by 2030.
Challenge
Cycling Scotland manages an extensive network of automatic cycle counters that enable them to track cycling activity and modal share throughout Scotland.
The cycle data they collect informs how they support active travel across the country to promote a more sustainable Scotland.
But before working with UrbanTide, Cycling Scotland only had access to its own cycle data. They wanted to see travel data from other organisations to gain a broader, more accurate and holistic real-time view of active travel in Scotland.
Approach
In partnership with Cycling Scotland and Paths for All, we built the Cycling Open Data portal: a collaborative data source for all national cycling and pedestrian data in one place.
We worked with local authorities and their transport partners to integrate and standardise their transport-monitoring data and provide it as a single source.
This data is now readily available as open and shared data through the platform. Cycle Scotland also has access to bespoke real-time data visualisations that they use to inform the wider strategy of the Active Travel Agenda across Scotland.
Results
917
We integrate real-time data from nearly 917 cycle sensors across Scotland, collecting 100,000+ records per day. Our pipelines standardise and continuously verify the data to ensure Cycling Scotland always has an up-to-date view across the entire network.
20
We currently collaborate with 20 public and private sector partners to collect real-time cycling data. We’re making this data available for the first time by bringing these organisations together. As our partnerships grow, we'll continue to add new data.
654%
Data gathered through the Cycling Open Data Portal was used as an evidence base to build, the South City Way in Glasgow. Cycle rates in this area are now 12.75%, compared to 1.69% in central city streets that lack cycle lanes.
By integrating cycling and walking data from multiple transport partners, Cycling Scotland is now gaining a more accurate, real-time understanding of active travel across Scotland.
Our partnership vision
Our vision for the Cycling Open Data portal is to become Scotland's go-to single source for all active travel data. We continue to facilitate cross-sector partnerships that will improve active travel infrastructure across the country.
We are also developing uMove, which uses enhanced AI analysis to identify and predict future active travel trends. This new product will support infrastructure planning and provide connected mobility recommendations for communities across Scotland.
About Cycling Scotland
Cycling Scotland is the nation’s cycling charity. Working with others, they get more people cycling, more safely and easily in a better environment.
They promote a sustainable, inclusive and healthy Scotland where anyone, anywhere can enjoy all the benefits of cycling.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
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