As cycling becomes an increasingly vital part of urban mobility, more cities are tapping into Floating Bicycle Data (FBD) to understand and improve cycling infrastructure. But once the data is collected, what’s next?
This was the key question during a recent MegaBITS workshop focused on experiences with FBD across the different project flagships. While the data itself holds promise, the workshop highlighted that we’re still in the early stages of figuring out how to use it effectively.
From Raw Data to Actionable Insights
Different cities showcased their dashboards and data platforms, offering a glimpse into the variety of approaches and use cases.
In Hamburg, for example, a public platform gives open access to cycling volumes per stretch, Origin-Destination (OD) patterns, and intersection data. By accessing API data, even more specific questions can be answered, for example by getting insights into green wave timing. Importantly, all data is linked to standardized map segments, offering opportunities for integration and reuse.
Enschede’s approach is more tailored: the city shares specific questions with its FBD provider, who then delivers analyses through a custom dashboard. Available metrics include OD patterns and average speeds, with results integrated into a wider data-sharing platform.
Antwerp’s data adds a participatory angle. It includes metrics like fluidity and stop locations, which are visualized alongside obstacles reported through a citizen platform—combining objective data with user experience.
Copenhagen, still in an earlier phase, is experimenting with distributed hardware to collect data on delays and road surface conditions. It’s a grassroots approach aiming to build data volume and coverage.
Experimentation Over Standardization
One of the key takeaways was the realization that there is no “one-size-fits-all” dashboard. While some had hoped for a universal solution, the diversity in city contexts and data needs suggests otherwise. As one participant put it, “I was thinking about having a fixed dashboard that fits all – but in the end, nothing fits all.” Instead, interest is shifting towards smarter, more responsive tools where you can pose specific questions and receive tailored analyses.
Overall, the feeling was that we are just scratching the surface. The data is there—or beginning to be—but we’re still learning how best to use it. If data volume and quality grow, so too will the range of applications.
As FBD matures, collaboration, creativity, and continued experimentation will be key to unlocking its full potential.