The City of Denver recently unveiled an innovative pilot project with the objective of gathering data from smartwatches to pinpoint areas where cyclists encounter elevated stress levels.
The MPATH App
The app called MPATH, provides cyclists the opportunity to share their heart rate during their journeys and is part of Denver's Vision Zero initiative to end traffic deaths in the city.
The information gathered alongside survey responses, crash data and video will be useful to infrastructure development, as it will allow city authorities to pinpoint locations where cyclists face increased stress levels. Thereby facilitating the implementation of new infrastructure to enhance comfort as well as allowing planners to assess the effectiveness of ongoing infrastructure projects in enhancing safety and determine whether adjustments are necessary.
We look forward to similar initiatives being launched in the EU to improve the safety and reducing stress of riders, in order continue promoting the use of bicycles as opposed to more polluting alternatives.