EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL USE OF CROWDSOURCED BICYCLE DATA FOR CYCLING ACTIVITIES AND SAFETY ANALYSIS

This research focuses on evaluating the potential use of crowdsourced bike data and comparing them with the traditional bike counting data that are collected in the City of Charlotte, NC. Using the bike data from both the Strava smartphone cycling application and the bicycle count stations, the bicycle volume models are developed. Based on the results, a bicycle volume predictive model is presented, and a map illustrating the bicycle volume on most of the road segments in the City of Charlotte is generated. In addition, to gain a better understanding of the attributes that have an impact on cycling, other supporting data are also collected and combined with the Strava bicycle count data. Multiple discrete choice models are developed to analyze the Strava users’ cycling activities. Furthermore, bicyclist injury risk analysis is also conducted to explore the impact factors affecting biking safety by developing a series of safety performance functions. Several indicators for model comparison are utilized to select the best fitting model for bicyclist injury risk modeling. Finally, recommendations are made in order to help improve the cycling environment and safety and increase the bicycle volume in the future.