Approaching Bike Hazards via Crowdsourcing of Volunteered Geographic Information

Rafael Hologa and Nils Riach
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Rafael Hologa: Physical Geography, University of Freiburg, Schreiberstraße 20, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
Nils Riach: Physical Geography, University of Freiburg, Schreiberstraße 20, 79085 Freiburg, Germany

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Information on individual hazard perception while cycling and the associated feeling of safety are key aspects to foster sustainable urban cycling mobility. Although cyclist’s perceptions must also be critically reviewed, such crowdsourced Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) provides wide-ranging insights on diverse hazard categories in cycling. In this case study in the city of Freiburg, Germany, hazard perceptions, information about lane types, and the underlying routes were crowdsourced via an open source smartphone application by a small group with the aim of providing cyclists with effective solutions. By dealing with levels of reliability, we show that even a small group of laypersons can generate an extensive and valuable set of VGI consisting of comprehensive hazard categories. We demonstrate that (1) certain hazards are interlinked to specific lane types, and (2) the individual hazard perceptions and objective parameters, i.e., accident data, are often congruent spatially; consequently, (3) dangerous hot spots can be derived. By considering cyclists’ needs, this approach outlines how a people-based perspective can supplement regional planning on the local scale.

Keywords: crowdsourcing; Volunteered Geographic Information; safety; hazards; cycling; perception; GIScience; regional planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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