Authorities in London have launched the world’s largest database of cycling infrastructure, to help people know what to expect when riding in the Capital.
The Cycling Infrastructure Database, which contains details of 240,000 cycle lanes, parking spaces and traffic filters, has been created by TfL to provide information on the ‘quickest and safest’ routes.
It follows research, which shows that many people feel uncomfortable about setting off on a cycle journey without knowing what to expect – particularly when it comes to finding a place to park or a protected cycle lane
To create the database, TfL surveyed every street in every London borough, collecting data on all 146,000 cycle parking spaces across London, as well as 2,000km of cycle lanes, 960 traffic filters and 58,000 wayfinding signs.
The database also contains 480,000 photographs of cycling infrastructure, allowing users to see exactly what can be found on the street and where.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Last year London saw the quickest growth in cycling journeys on record, but we must continue to do everything we can to make cycling easy and convenient for everyone.
“TfL’s Cycling Infrastructure Database is the biggest collection of cycling information anywhere in the world, and has the potential to transform the way we think about cycling.
“It means that wherever you live or work in the Capital you can properly plan your journey from beginning to end, knowing the quickest and safest route through every London neighbourhood.”
The database has now been made available to London boroughs and has also been released as open data for third-party developers. It has already been used to upgrade TfL’s Journey Planner.
Third-party developers will be able to use the data for their own journey planning tools, which will make it simpler for Londoners to plan cycle journeys using their preferred apps.
TfL also hopes the database will make it possible boroughs to plan future investment in cycling effectively.
Wonder how meaningful this will be ? There is a Cycle Lane – somewhere under all those parked cars.
Subjectivity is probably unavoidable
1)Good Route at all times (segregated or filtered)
2)Good Route at quiet times
3)Take your life in your hands.
Paul Luton, Teddington
+1