Strava: Traffic Shift Based on Bicycle Commuter Data

Massive CO₂ Savings through Cycling

The more data-driven decisions cities make for their infrastructure, the better active transport can be promoted. With the help of the application, administrations would have the opportunity to get an idea of when and where cyclists and pedestrians are moving through cities. Knowing how many commuters are moving under their own power is also intended to help cities understand the CO₂ emissions offset by active transportation. For example, cyclists on Strava in Berlin offset 402 percent more CO₂ emissions between January and September this year than in Frankfurt and 216 percent more than in Munich. Thus, in Berlin alone, as much CO₂ has been compensated as by planting 112,480 trees in one year, according to the provider.

"The backend of Strava Metro quickly delivers clear and well-prepared data for us. The heat maps are easy to understand for everyone, including non-professionals and political decision-makers," praises Jan Annendijck from the cycling office at the road traffic department of the city of Frankfurt, on the collaboration with Strava Metro.

Since January 2020, the number of organizations using the tool to make data-driven changes in their cities has increased from 50 to 1,575 - including the planning regions of Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart. There, the platform is used to evaluate the feasibility of planned cycling measures based on commuters' movement data and to subsequently demonstrate the popularity of the newly created infrastructure.

"The increase in active travel observed during the pandemic is becoming the new norm in cities around the world. It is a great privilege to be able to share Strava Metro data for free with over 1,500 partner organizations and stakeholders to enhance social equity, support planning, and improve infrastructure. When cities are equipped with data insights, we support the long-term growth and popularity of active travel," explains Michael Horvath, co-founder and CEO of Strava.