Cycling in Brussels can be rewarding, but with occasional potholes or tricky crossings getting around town can at times also be tough.

As our role in the future of mobility continues to grow and evolve, we’re constantly working to support an improved mobility and to help make our roads safer. In addition to using our technology to improve road safety, we’re working with local organizations to raise awareness of best practices to help make our streets safer.

That’s why we have partnered with Ping If You Care (PIYC), to help collect data which aims to make cycling in Brussels safer and easier in the long run. Over several weeks we distributed bluetooth “ping” buttons to couriers using the Uber Eats app, via which they will be able to flag any road safety issues they notice on the road, including flaws in the cycling infrastructure, unclear signage, near collisions etc.

Every PING leaves a mark on the track. After the ride users can leave a comment. PINGs and comments are analysed and set into correlation with overall cycling data, after which results will be visualized through heatmaps and turned into recommendations for policy and infrastructure.

Wim Billet, Project Lead at Mobiel 21:

“Couriers using the Uber Eats app, compared to daily commuters, frequently use new routes to reach clients. In that sense, their data input in the PIYC project is an interesting asset. Depending on the client destinations, they might even travel roads which have been avoided by commuters due to road safety issues. Their participation will result in extra data which policymakers can use to improve the cycling quality in Brussels.”

We are all better off when it’s easy to get around cities, in which we can rely more on existing mobility options and less on private cars. And Uber is just one piece of the puzzle: Studies have found that shared modes of transportation complement each other — for instance, people who use ridesharing apps are more likely to use bike-sharing and public transit, and less likely to own a car.

We’re excited about the prospect of new technology helping Brussels build a sustainable and safe space to get around.

Want to help contribute to make cycling safer in Brussels? Visit pingifyoucare.brussel for more information on PIYC.

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