Bike Black Spot App
Hey All
Scott Ludlum from the Greens has been coordinating a campaign in WA using this app, it might be useful for highlighting some of the wacky things councils do to cycling infrastructure here in Radelaide as well.
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bike-blackspot/id510581717?mt=8
its free as well!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tim B (the running man) on -
There is also another one called "Snap, Send, Solve". You take a photo, fill out a couple of drop down thingamys and it sends it to the council that you are in.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on -
Would be really useful if we (Adelaide Cyclists) could see the local SA reports as well.
-
Permalink Reply by rossmg on -
Looks hopeful but unfortunately there does not appear to be an Android equivalent...
-
Permalink Reply by craig sinclair on -
I wonder whether the source code might be out there and customisable?
-
Permalink Reply by Tim B (the running man) on
-
Snap Send Solve is on my Android phone.
-
Permalink Reply by Tracey Gaudry on -
Hello folks, the Greens in Vic have also launched a blackspot app, with all uploads going straight to the Minister for Transport. Recent examples in Victoria (using or not using an app) show that drawing attention directly to danger spots brings quick action from Councils. Quick fixes are good. With not-so-quick fixes, repeated attention can really work.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
Perhaps most of the time councils act quickly. In Aug-2011 I reported 2 lots of new bollards (dark grey with no reflective strips) on a shared path. Have just reported again, but this time sent CC to Transport and Office of Cycling & Walking.
When it comes to SA Water and their infrastructure . . . It took multiple reports from me over 12 years to get a smooth and potentially slippery cover-lid on a corner in a bicycle lane to replaced. In Nov-2009 and Jan-2010 I reported multiple hazards of smooth cover-lids, non-flush cover-lids and blue RRPMs installed outside the Technical Standard. Sent copies to Minister for Transport and Minister for Water Security. Still waiting for these cycling hazards to be remedied. In my Jun-2012 submission to ACC on its Integrated Movement Strategy, I pointed out that the City would not be cyclist-friendly until it persuaded SA Water to fix such cycling hazards. Have recently found the time to draft another report -- the new Member for Adelaide is anticipating a copy.
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Parnell MLC on -
Bike Blackspot App now live for Adelaide
Hi all, I've been following this thread for a few days now and am pleased to say that the Bike Blackspot App will be officially launched in SA very soon, but it is already live and working now! http://www.bikeblackspot.org/
The App is the initiative of Sen. Scott Ludlam, my Greens Senator for Western Australia and our national spokesperson on transport. I have recently been in touch with Bicycle SA and the Bicycle Institute of SA to let them know this is coming. We hope to get as many of Adelaide's cycling community on board as we can.
This App has been a very useful tool in advocating for better funding for cycling in WA. By identify Blackspots, mapping them and sending real-time reports to the relevant Ministers, we can show what's needed to help improve the state of cycling.
This is a cyclist-driven (I mean ridden) campaign tool that is now being rolled out across Australia. WA was first, but Melbourne will be launched next and there is already some Vic data being uploaded. See the Melbourne map at http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/melbourne-bike-blackspot
Do you want to help get this going in Adelaide?
I haven't advertised the fact, but the App was updated two weeks ago and is already live for Adelaide and you can use it now. What I would love, is for cyclists to start using it so that we have real data ready for the launch, which should be happening soon.
If you want to check it out, your first port of call should be the web page: http://www.bikeblackspot.org/ where you can see how it all works. You need to download the App from the iTunes App store: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bike-blackspot/id510581717?mt=8. Sadly, there is no Android version available yet.
Currently, the home page: http://www.bikeblackspot.org/ points to Western Australia data, but if you zoom out the map and scroll across the country you can see the other States. SA currently has no entries, so who wants to be first?
Why?
The App has a number of purposes. These are (in order of priority):
- Helping to build a case for improved cycling funding and cycling facilities
- Alerting the State and Federal Transport Ministers directly to the range of problems faced by cyclists
- Notifying and putting pressure on the Government to fix individual local problems. The State govt does not have an on-line reporting option. You have to ring up. BTW, the number is: Traffic Management Centre on 1800 018 313 http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/transport_network/metro_roads/report...
How does it work?
The App uses the GPS function of the iPhone to record the precise location of the problem and then sends a text description (and photo if you take one) to both the State and Federal Transport Ministers and to the Greens. Where the problem is clearly a local council matter, you can forward it on youself (if you know the address) or I can follow it up, however I expect that the Minister and/or Office of cycling and walking will also forward it to the local Council. Automatically adding the local council reporting address is a feature I'd like to see in the next edition.
As you can see from the map on the web page, each report is also loaded automatically to the interactive map, so everyone can see the reports (but not the identity of the person making the report).
The Greens’ Bike Blackspot App is different from other “reporting” iPhone Apps such as "Snap, Send, Solve". That App is aimed only at local council problems and includes a range of issues apart from cycling eg. graffiti, illegal dumping etc. The GPS function on the iPhone identifies the local council area and pre-loads the relevant council email address. There is no interactive map and as far as I can tell, no central tracking or follow up mechanism. It is purely aimed at fixing individual problems that are the responsibility of local councils.
Happy to answer any questions via this discussion group, by phone: 8237 9111 or email: parnell@parliament.sa.gov.au
Mark Parnell MLC
Parliamentary Leader
Australian Greens (SA)
-
Permalink Reply by Sam Young on -
I'll jump onto it as soon as there is an android app! Looks great though.
-
Permalink Reply by Randall Oakley on -
+1.
There's alot of cyclists with iphones but there's just as many with android.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on
-
Mark, that sounds great but I do not have a smart phone.
For several years I have been reporting items to Transport, local councils, ETSA, Envestra, SA Water, public transport, etc.
For part 2012: cycling 156, pedestrian 27, environment 3, graffiti 189.
For 2011: cycling 234, pedestrian 96, environment 4.
Plus graffiti, rubbish, road signs, damaged stobie poles, etc.I would like to make the following clear, especially if you do not have a smart phone and the app:
1. Transport, DPTI, are responsible for traffic lights and bicycle lanes on arterial roads (but not in the CBD). Contact Traffic Hazards, Transport, by email DPTI.EnquiriesAdministrator@sa.gov.au If an urgent hazard (includes broken glass), phone 1800 018 313 (24-hr).
2. If household rubbish in an arterial bicycle lane, report to the local council as an environmental hazard.
3. ACC is responsible for bicycle lanes, roads, traffic lights, etc, in Adelaide and North Adelaide.
4. Local councils are responsible for residential streets.
5. Some major roads switch between DPTI and local council control (e.g. Smart Road) so I have a link to a map.
6. Utilities are responsible for items like smooth cover-lids, non-flush cover-lids, blue RRPMs, stobie poles, etc.
7. When it comes to shared paths, most are under the control of the local council, but some under the control of DPTI.At first when I regularly started reporting hazards, I found it confusing and asked why couldn't everything be reported to a central point. If you need any help in reporting a hazard, contact me.
-
Permalink Reply by A.V.O. on
-
"that sounds great but I do not have a smart phone"
that does sound great doesn't it - smartphones are relatively cheap, have built-in cameras and are quite economical to run on a pre-paid phone plans.
I encourage you to take the plunge and join the club.....no need to be afraid of new technology, embrace and enjoy it!
With all the above features above, think how much more effective ! :) you could be eliminating the many evils and scourges of cyclists in Adelaide! - http://snapsendsolve.com
The mind boggles at all the possibilities at your fingertips!
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
