From insights to action: developing use cases for the Cycle Data Space

The selected use cases aim to address common challenges faced by cyclists while ensuring scalability and interoperability across different regions, stakeholders, and organizational contexts. By developing these use cases, we also seek to assess the added value of a data space for both public and private entities, supporting smarter, more connected cycling infrastructure.

In line with guidelines for data spaces, the use cases must meet the following requirements:

• Public-private cooperation – Engaging stakeholders from government, private companies, and research institutions.
• Interoperability – Ensuring datasets and solutions work across platforms and stakeholders.
• Replicability – Designing solutions that can be applied in multiple cities or contexts.
• Combining multiple datasets – Leveraging different data sources for richer insights.

The workshop followed a structured approach to ensure the development of meaningful and scalable use cases. It began with each pilot defining the specific mobility challenge their use case aimed to address, followed by refining the scope by clarifying objectives, geographic focus, and expected impact. Participants then mapped the necessary datasets and identified key public and private stakeholders essential for implementation. Finally, the feasibility of scaling these solutions across different regions was assessed by evaluating business models and replicability. This step-by-step process helped lay the foundation to scope the use cases for the Cycle Data Space.

Copenhagen: Enhancing quality of bike data for policy decisions
Copenhagen’s use case focused on improving the accuracy of bike usage data. Data inconsistencies caused by data anomalies and roadworks, weather, and accidents lead to inefficiencies in policymaking. By integrating sensor data, mobile data, accident reports, and weather insights, the city can reduce manual checks and enhance decision-making.

Overijssel: Improving data findability and monitoring of count data
Overijssel aims to make bike count data more accessible and findable. Currently, different organizations collect data separately, leading to inefficiencies. They like to investigate how a dataspace can help improving data retrieval, resource allocation, and accuracy while enabling multiple stakeholders to benefit.

Le Havre: Smarter investments in bike infrastructure
Le Havre wants to be able to better monitor the impact of external factors such as tourism, weather...on bike volumes in the city. Through data-driven decision-making, authorities can optimize investments, ensuring infrastructure meets real demand. The solution can be replicated in other cities looking to improve bike network efficiency.

Antwerp & Hamburg: Identifying unsafe cycling spots
Both cities addressed cyclist safety by identifying hazardous locations through accident data, braking patterns, and road characteristics. By combining multiple datasets from police, insurance companies, and infrastructure providers, decision-makers can prioritize interventions and enhance urban cycling safety.

The role of the Cycle Data Space
The Cycle Data Space, which will be part of the German Mobility Data Space (MDS) is central to making these use cases work. By providing a trusted, interoperable environment for data sharing, MDS ensures that:

• Data is securely exchanged between public and private partners.
• Different datasets can be combined for deeper insights.
• Solutions are scalable and adaptable to multiple regions.
• Cities and private stakeholders collaborate efficiently to drive innovation.

Next steps: bring the idea to life!
During the next weeks, the MegaBITS' Partners will choose one of the presented use cases as a pilot that will be tested and brought to life. The next steps involve fine-tuning these use cases, onboarding key datasets to MDS, and to reach out to interested parties and data owners.
Are you willing to participate, or would you like to have more information on the Cycle Data Space? Feel free to contact Evelien Marlier (imec) here.