Digital fitness platform Strava has launched its Metro for Academic Researchers programme which supports projects focused on enhancing bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
The initiative lets academic researchers apply to access the Strava Metro platform. This platform provides aggregated data on bicycle and pedestrian trips for transportation planners, advocacy groups and researchers.
Strava Metro currently collaborates with more than 3,500 city planners, governmental agencies, and infrastructure decision-makers worldwide.
“Academic research is incredibly important in the active transportation field, from evaluating current infrastructure, to measuring the impact of improvements and changes, to developing new programs and best practices for ensuring human-powered travel is safe, accessible, and efficient for everyone,” Strava Vice President of Global Communications and Social Impact Brian Bell told Zag Daily.
“Our hope is for these research projects to have real-world impact, where findings can be implemented throughout the world as they work to improve how people move throughout their communities.”
The program opens up Strava Metro to college students and academic researchers, and aims for its data to inform various projects such as those focused on reducing traffic congestion in towns and cities, promoting sustainable transport, or exploring access to outdoor paths and trails.
According to Strava, the platform will provide researchers with an understanding of travel patterns, infrastructure gaps, and the effectiveness of existing routes and facilities.
Applications are open and will close on 18 October. Successful applicants will receive one year free access to Strava Metro, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities such as with academic researchers, urban planners, and scientists, and online training sessions from the Strava Metro team.
