CONNECTLA Bike Trains - APP + Wayfinding Signage
Online + (iPhone/Android) find the best bicycle routes around LA and the ability to find people to ride/commute with - at any time! Plus key signage to find bike paths/routes that are easy to miss..
Please describe your project proposal.
Like to ride a bike in LA? Wouldn't it be nice if you could map out:
1) the most chill-safe-stress free route
2) the faster route
and then see if there was anyone else doing the same commute so that you could have company and enjoy safety in numbers?
You know there's a great bike path (Ballona Creek, LA River) but it's confusing.. signage anyone?
It's possible! LA Bike Trains has been running a similar education program in LA since 2013. Based on feedback this is what people want.
Which of the CONNECT metrics will your proposal impact?
Social & emotional support
Government responsiveness to residents’ needs
Travel time to work
Public transit riders
Total number of local social media friends and connections Angelenos have
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
County of Los Angeles
Describe in greater detail how your proposal will make LA the best place to CONNECT?
An app that connects people to better understand and utilize city streets and infrastructure - as well as to each other!
LA might be home to millions of people - but it also has a well deserved reputation for isolation - it's hard to get to know people when you're enclosed in your own vehicle, listening to some jams and frustrated by traffic.
Lots of people would be into riding a bike - but for people born and raised on freeways, it can be like learning a new language to figure out what streets to take instead of a freeway.
New residents and lifelong ones all benefit by being able to find the easy (vs the faster) routes. Get to work/school/errands or connect to transportation without wondering what way to take.
And, in cases where the infrastructure just plain sucks for cycling - encouraging signage and the ability to find someone to ride with makes a big different to how easy, fun and safe it can be to chose to bike. It's hard to get to (or out of) the west side. Knowing the best route and having a (new?) friend to go with is enough of a motivator to create real behavior changes in transportation.
More people on bikes = more interaction with neighbors, coworkers, people from all walks of life in this amazing diverse city.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
1) Minimum Viable Product functionality checklist/beta release
2) Number of users involved in beta
3) Official (alpha) launch within 12 months
4) User reviews (star system on iTunes/Google Play)
5) Number of downloads on iTunes/Google Play
6) Comparative product review w/Strava, GO LA, Google (bike) Maps, CycleTracks (SFMTA)
How can the LA2050 community and other stakeholders help your proposal succeed?
Money
Advisors/board members
Publicity/awareness
Technical infrastructure (computers etc.)
Community outreach
Network/relationship support
Quality improvement research