Bicycle Connected Technologies

Overview

Connected technologies supporting bicycles have become more advanced in recent years; new technologies such as e-bikes, built-in GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and bicycle-oriented smartphone applications have advanced the integration of bikes into the greater transportation system. As biking becomes a more accessible and reliable means of transportation, the number of people choosing to commute by bike has increased. The continuation of this trend will depend not only on the technologies, but also on how communities adapt and plan for the new wave of bicycle-related tech. Many bicycle technologies are still in their early phases of development and the future implications of connected bikes goes far beyond rider benefit. Public agencies will have to begin planning for how connected bicycles will have an impact on transportation in their communities and how they can use them to achieve goals like reduced congestion, safer roads, and more active communities.

Technologies

E-bikes

Gaining mass popularity in recent years, electric bikes seem to be the technology paving the way for the evolution of connected bicycle technology. E-bikes allow for faster travel and increased range when compared to regular bikes, altogether lowering the physical exertion barrier to entry for cycling. This proliferation and associated technological advancements have catalyzed the development and implementation of other connected features.

Navigation

Hands free navigation, like has become commonplace in the automotive world, is beginning to see bicycle-specific application. Typically, technologies either interface wirelessly with cell phone or are bicycle-embedded systems with internal GPS. Apps contain bicycle network information and share the fastest, safest, and shortest routes available.

Theft Prevention

GPS systems are being installed in bikes, allowing for the tracking of a lost or stolen bike. Motion detectors can alert owners when their bike is being meddled with or is on the move.

Fleet Management

Most major cities have implemented some form of bike sharing program and many of them use technology to track the status of their fleet. With an increased demand for e-bikes, more of this technology will be used for tracking location, battery levels, and maintenance needs. A model for many of these technologies can be seen in a number of scooter-share companies active today.

Performance Analysis

Professional riders and bike enthusiasts often use technology to track their performance. A variety of metrics can be recorded and analyzed to improve performance for training, races and other trips. Many tracking services have social media capabilities, encouraging further engagement with the bicycle technology.

Situational Sensing

Bicycle navigation technology is likely to develop the ability to incorporate local weather, current traffic conditions, and other relevant information. Benefits include choosing the fastest current route, avoiding hazardous areas and congestion, and watching for inclement weather. Conditions change by the minute, and just like up to date information is relayed to vehicles, bikes can get similar but bike specific information.

Data Collection

An important future technology for connected bikes is data collection. Through connected devices on bikes or riders’ phones, transportation agencies can get information relating to bike trips. This could include route choice, intersection LOS, accidents and near-miss encounters, road surface conditions, infrastructure flaws, and more. This information can be leveraged for important transportation decisions and improve the design of new bike infrastructure. Presently, performance analysis tracking has been studied for its ability to inform bicycle safety, operations, and mode share metrics in conjunction with traditional traffic operations studies. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA ), in partnership with U.S Department of transportation's (USDOT) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program and the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) is currently researching the possibility of securely sharing electronic messages between traffic management systems, ITS devices, transit vehicles and systems, and travelers using connected mobile devices.

Mobility as a Service

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) describes the integration of discrete transportation systems to function as a more complete whole. A possible application of this concept is in fare integration between transit systems and bikeshare systems. A common problem for transit providers is providing 'first-mile/last-mile' service – bridging the gap between an origin or destination and the transit system's stops. Collaboration between transit and bikeshare systems could help to alleviate this challenge by providing credits for bikeshare use for transit users, or vice-versa.

Safety Analysis

There is potential for tracking of under-reported collisions and near misses including cyclists using sensors and connected technologies. Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other onboard sensors could allow for quantification of near misses when bicycles brake or swerve severely. Observing when bicycles leave the bike lane could also help to estimate where there are issues with double parking or other obstacles in the bike lane which require further enforcement.

Types of connectivity

One of the largest looming questions is that of the efficacy of different paths of connection between bikes and other road users and technologies such as vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure. Examples of specific implications include traffic signal detecting, pedestrian warning, and autonomous vehicle detection/interaction. Types of two-way communication include:

• Bicycle to infrastructure (B2I)
• Bicycle to vehicle (B2V)
• Bicycle to bicycle (B2B)
• Bicycle to cloud (B2X)

Communication between road users has been proposed under a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) and cellular network framework. Since 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has maintained the 5.9G Hz DSRC band for exclusive use by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) including connected vehicle technologies. Cellular technology, though, seems to be more promising for connected bicycle systems implementation. Smartphones are already widely used, and don't require the addition of another electronic unit to the bicycle. The rollout of 5G technologies across major cities will make cellular technologies more viable for instantaneous communication in a transportation environment.

Analysis of Implications

• The Increased accessibility of electric bikes will allow for more of the population to see cycling as a possible means of transportation. Elderly, disabled, and less active people are more apt to travel via the bike if they have access to e-bikes. The implications of increased ridership are widespread, including reduced vehicle congestion, reduced vehicle parking demand, increased active transportation demand, and increased transit connectivity.
• Convenience for bike users will be impacted by the evolving technologies built into bikes. Navigation, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and situational sensing will all lead to a better cycling experience, and thus increased ridership.
• Connected technologies between vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and infrastructure will likely have a large impact on the transportation systems in metropolitan areas. Cities and private tech companies will be working to ensure that the technology is being properly and safely implemented.
• One of the most important effects that connected bikes will have on the transportation industry is the ability to gather and use real bicycle trip data. The bicycle is being added as yet another tool in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT). Connecting more devices to the internet and allowing for more detailed data collection will help improve the transportation system. Planning and design efforts can be better tailored to bicycle users and will allow for further prioritization towards bike access and safety.

Equity

Due to the expense of implementing cutting edge technology, connected bicycle technologies are much more likely to initially see use on privately-owned bicycles. Because of the high potential for bikeshare programs to see high rates of vandalism, theft, or destruction, bikeshare companies may be reluctant to upgrade the technology embedded in their vehicles. The combination of these factors means that access to the benefits of connected bicycle technologies is likely to be limited to those able to afford it - at least initially.

Smartphone-based systems, such as those found in Strava and many mapping services, may provide a higher level of accessibility, as over 80% of American adults are estimated to own a smartphone.

There are concerns with the use of Strava and other activity-tracking data for the purpose of operations analysis, as they only represent a specific sub-population of bicycle users: those who choose to track their riding. Typically, riders will chose to track their rides for recreational purposes, meaning that Strava data may not proportionally represent communities using bicycles as for transportation or work.

Case Studies

Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC)

Portland State University-housed TREC has studied how connected bike technology could get more people riding. This article explains the possibilities of the technology and how they could impact the transportation system as a whole.

Stockholm Electric Bike Share

Stockholm, Sweden has implemented one of the largest electric bike share fleets in the world. The 5000 e-bike fleet will increase access to the city and allow for mass transit without significant infrastructure. This article explains the program and how it will impact the city's transportation needs.

Implementing Connected Bikes

This paper explores the possibilities and challenges of implementing connected bike technology in an urban setting. While the hope is for connected communities, the reality is that technological and logistical restrictions will slow the implementation of connected technology and data collection.

Bicycle Safety and Communication

Charles River Analytics developed the MAIN-ST system under a contract issued by the USDOT's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This article explains how the system includes cyclists in the connected vehicle and infrastructure network to improve bicycle safety and communication.

Gridlocks and Urban Congestion

A team from Cornell Tech's Product Studio course developed an app that presents a hypothetical heatmap using a machine learning algorithm. This heatmap was produced by recording cyclists' movement and speed data. Citi Bike data in New York City was analyzed to track a rider's trajectory to see if car-sized obstacles were frequently dodged where bike lanes should have been leading to the inference that a vehicle was illegally parked there, which could cause congestion. This article explains that Citi Bikes were equipped with smart handlebars, accelerometers and GPS to track movements.

"Players in the Field"

• Shimano, a leader in bike components and technological advancements.
• Smart Grips, emerging technology incorporating smart features including navigation into grips.
• Connected Cycle, Connected Cycle offers innovative and cost-effective geolocation solutions tailored for both bikes and industrial assets.
• Bulls Bikes, high end bike manufacturer creating all in one technologically advanced bikes.