Transport for London (TfL) has launched the Cycling Infrastructure Database, the world’s largest database of cycling infrastructure which will help to make cycling in London easier and more tailored to people’s needs. The database contains the details of all 240,000 pieces of cycling infrastructure in London, such as cycle parking spaces and cycle lanes.
TfL research has shown 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 to collect data on all 146,000 cycle parking spaces across London, as well as gathering information on 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 street and where.
The database has now been made available to London boroughs and has also been released as open data for third-party developers. The data has already been used to upgrade TfL’s own Journey Planner, meaning that people using the planner for cycle journeys can now see the nearest and most convenient place to park for every journey.
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 will invite app developers to a ‘hackathon’ later this year to explore innovative ways to use the data to make cycling simpler and easier for more Londoners.
The database will also make it possible for TfL and the boroughs to plan future investment in cycling effectively. The database has already been used to develop TfL’s Cycle Parking Implementation Plan, which last month set out how TfL will work with partners across the capital to invest £2.5m in new cycle parking across London, targeting areas of highest demand.
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Source: TfL
