Strava Announces 10 Global Research Projects as Recipients of Inaugural Metro for Academic Researchers Program
SAN FRANCISCO – January 30, 2025 – Strava, the app for active people, today announced the 10 global projects for its inaugural Metro for Academic Researchers Program. These innovative initiatives were chosen for their potential to drive meaningful change in communities worldwide, leveraging Strava Metro’s data to shape the future of active transportation, infrastructure, and sustainability.
Each project will use Strava Metro’s de-identified, aggregated data to develop evidence-based solutions for improving active transportation networks. Research teams will also receive ongoing support from the Strava Metro team to gain deeper insights into travel patterns, infrastructure gaps, and community needs.
“We are thrilled to partner with these research teams to tackle the critical need for safer and more accessible pedestrian and cycling infrastructure,” said Brian Bell, Strava vice president of global communications and social impact. “This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible contributions of the Strava community. With nearly 12 billion activities uploaded, they power Metro’s dataset, enabling decision-makers to drive societal change.”
The following projects, selected from around the world, represent the diverse ways Strava Metro data will be used to drive innovation in urban planning, transportation, and sustainability. From developing climate-resilient biking networks in Atlanta to enhancing winter cycling habits in Wroclaw, these initiatives highlight the power of data-driven decision-making in creating safer, more accessible, and more sustainable communities.
North America
Anticipating Bike Transportation Needs for Weathering Climate Change: Using Strava Metro data, this team will study how extreme heat impacts cycling in Atlanta, with the goal of developing tools to help cyclists navigate and adapt to heat-related challenges. (Atlanta, GA)
An Active Transportation Plan for Claremont: This research will assess cycling patterns in Claremont to help prioritize city investments, particularly in corridors used by recreational cyclists, to inform the city’s Active Transportation Plan. (Los Angeles County, CA)
Nice Streets, Mean Streets: Mapping Transportation Accessibility in Southeast Michigan: This collaboration between STPP and Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) maps high-traffic streets on Strava against those designated as “mean” or “nice” by PEAC’s students. The aim is to identify safer roads for individuals with intellectual disabilities and support PEAC’s advocacy for improved accessibility. (Detroit, MI)
Maximizing Accessibility and Ridership for the Interborough Express: Strategic Infrastructure and Street Redesigns: This team will identify key areas in New York City to redesign streets, build bike lanes, and improve transit infrastructure to enhance ridership, shorten commutes, and promote public transit and cycling over driving. (New York City, NY)
Runnability and its Environmental Correlates: The project will explore environments conducive to trail and road running, and examine how sociodemographic factors such as age and gender affect access to these areas. (Vancouver, BC)
Europe
Active Commuting: The Role of Infrastructure in Promoting Everyday Sports Activity: By analyzing how cyclists and runners use urban bike lanes, this project aims to improve infrastructure planning to better support physical activity in Gothenburg. (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Trail Blazers: Analysing Mountain Biking Usage Patterns and Rider Diversity in the Scottish Borders: This research will identify MTB trail hotspots and link usage to maintenance needs, while also studying rider diversity to ensure inclusivity in trail design. (Scotland, UK)
Winter is Coming: Analysing Cyclists’ Behaviour in Autumn and Wintertime in Wroclaw: This study will analyze changes in cycling patterns from August to April in Wroclaw to assess if infrastructure supports year-round commuting in colder months. (Wroclaw, Poland)
Asia/Oceania
Transforming Istanbul into a Bike-Friendly Metropolis with Strava Metro: Using Strava Metro’s heatmaps and velocity data, this team will identify the safest bike paths and share findings with the Istanbul Municipality to improve bike infrastructure. (Istanbul, Turkey)
Creating Active Communities: The Role of the Physical Environment: This project will use Strava Metro data to map areas with high physical activity and identify environmental factors that support healthier, more active communities. (Sydney, Australia)
Announced in September 2024, the Metro for Academic Researchers Program, was created to empower academic researchers and students with access to Strava Metro’s dataset of bicycle and pedestrian trips. The program grants participants insights into detailed active transportation data, as well as ongoing support from the Strava Metro team, including training and project guidance to ensure successful research outcomes.
All applications were reviewed by a Strava committee, who scored each submission on a number of categories including alignment with Strava Metro’s mission and potential community impact. These partnerships further Strava Metro’s mission to make human-powered transportation safer, more accessible, and sustainable for all communities.
About Strava
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