The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments is seeking at least 500 bicyclists to record their bike trips by the end of Bike Week 2012 through a smartphone app. To contribute to our effort, volunteers will need to download the CycleTracks smartphone app for iPhone or Android and record at least one bicycle trip by May 13, 2012. Since the data collection effort started in Spring of 2011, the region has recorded over 1000 trips thanks to the hard work of 200 bicyclists.
Bicycle route data will help the region's planners and decision makers gain a detailed understanding of the needs of cyclists. This will assist current and future efforts to improve bicycle facilities in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.
For more information, like us on Facebook: Monterey Bay Bicycle Route Data Collection Effort.
USING THE CYCLE TRACKS APP
Using the CycleTracks app is easy. At the start of each trip, you will need to tap the "start" button on the app. At the end of each trip, tap the “save” button. The app will prompt you to identify your trip purpose and comments. When you tap “save,” your trip information will upload to a server. You may also choose to enter personal information such as age, email, gender and information about your typical cycling commute. You only need to record each of your trips once. Trips to work, to the library, to the store or the beach are all eligible trips for you to record and upload!
The CycleTracks app was developed by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) through funding from a Caltrans grant. The CycleTracks app is free for users and can be found here (iPhone) or here (Android).
Each time you upload a commute trip, it gets sent to SFCTA’s server. Once the data collection period is over, AMBAG will obtain the data from SFCTA. The data will allow us to better understand what factors influence the routes Monterey Bay Residents bike along, which will in turn help support investments in the most effective bicycle facilities in the region.
In light of our state mandate to achieve a 5% reduction in regional greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector by 2035, pursuant to California Senate Bill 375, this effort is particularly important.
This project is funded by an AB2766 grant from the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.
