An advocacy group has created a new app that focuses on safe and fast biking routes in Ottawa. The free Cycling Guide app from Bike Ottawa offers bikers the best available, low-stress, comfortable and cycling-friendly routes to get around. The mobile app is helping people navigate getting from point A to B the safest, with colour-coding for easy understanding for people who want to make biking a more frequent mode of transportation. “The premise behind it is to make sure that people can get around in the most comfortable manner. There might be other applications out there that will give you a route, but you don’t know what kind of route it’s going to be,” says Dave Robertson, a volunteer with Bike Ottawa. “This app here ensures that you know what you’re going to encounter. It’s all color-coded, so it’s always going to route you on the safest route, which is always green. Green is good.” The Cycling Guide isn’t only for residents but also helps visitors with alternative routes, making it easier for them to tour the city. Robertson says most mainstream navigation apps don’t account for safety or comfort for the rider. “This app winds up removing a lot of those issues, a lot of those barriers that people face. You plug in your address or pick a point on the map and it’s going to re-route you on the least stressful route,” says Robertson. “It always gives you one or two other options too. If you’re a stronger person riding a bike and you’re okay with being in more car traffic, it’s going to give you another option, which is slightly more stressful but it’s going to get you there faster.” This year’s launch will also make the app available in other Canadian cities. The free app is available to download for Android and iPhone users.
