Using citizen observatory GPS data to trace changes in cycling practices: prospects and limitations

Abstract

As European cities strive to reduce the environmental impact of transportation, there has been a rise in the promotion of active micromobility, especially cycling. A limited understanding of changes in cycling practices hinders the promotion and planning of cycling. Crowdsourced GPS trajectory data collected through cycling citizen observatories can fill this gap. This paper examines the potential and limitations of these data for studying changes in cycling practices. Crowdsourced GPS data from the Sniffer-Bike initiative in Utrecht, the Netherlands, are used to evaluate the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on cycling. The results highlight the potential of these data to track longitudinal changes in cycling routines, but also underscore the challenge of ensuring representative samples for statistical inference and the generalization of results. This investigation is beneficial to urban planners, policymakers, and researchers in understanding how participatory sensing data and, in particular, crowdsourced GPS data, can help promote sustainable mobility practices.