Rio de Janeiro is home to a thriving cycling community, yet urban planners have long struggled to quantify cycling activity and demand across the city. Traditional cyclist counting methods—such as fixed counters and manual observations—provide only limited snapshots of movement patterns, leaving significant data gaps in network planning.
To bridge this information gap, the União de Ciclistas do Brasil (UCB), through its Strava Metro Data Analysis Committee, conducted an in-depth study utilizing Strava Metro data to analyze cycling behaviors, identify high-demand corridors, and assess gaps in bikeway coverage. This marks the first large-scale use of Strava Metro data in Rio to inform evidence-based urban mobility decisions.
The UCB research team analyzed 700,000 bike trips recorded in Strava Metro across Rio de Janeiro throughout 2023. This dataset provided a granular view of how cyclists move through the city. The study focused on several key areas:
Where cyclists travel most frequently – Identifying high-volume routes and their role in the transportation network.
Commute vs. leisure cycling patterns – Differentiating between functional mobility and recreational riding.
Alignment with existing cycling infrastructure – Assessing how well the current bikeway network serves demand.
Key road segments with high cycling demand but no bikeways – Highlighting priority areas for infrastructure expansion.
By cross-referencing Strava Metro data with Rio’s existing cycling infrastructure, the study delivered a data-driven assessment of network gaps and opportunities for strategic investment.
1. Cycling Demand is Citywide
While Rio’s South Zone (Flamengo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo) recorded the highest trip density—reflecting a blend of commuter and leisure rides—the study revealed significant cycling activity citywide:
Commute trips were observed throughout the North and West Zones, as well as in the central business district.
High-demand routes extended beyond the traditional tourist and recreational areas, underscoring the need for comprehensive infrastructure coverage.
2. Cyclists Prefer Bikeways, But Coverage is Limited
Strava Metro data reinforced the importance of dedicated cycling infrastructure:
Only 20% of road segments used by cyclists had dedicated bikeways.
Despite this, bikeways accounted for 44% of all kilometers traveled, indicating that when safe infrastructure is available, cyclists prefer to use it.
3. Critical Gaps in Cycling Infrastructure
The study identified several high-use corridors that currently lack bikeway coverage, particularly in areas critical for commuter mobility. Key missing links include:
Centro–Maracanã–Méier–Madureira–Deodoro corridor – A vital connection for daily commuters.
Madureira–Jacarepaguá route – An important link between residential and employment hubs.
South Zone junctions (Humaitá–Botafogo, Flamengo–Catete) - High-traffic areas with significant cyclist demand but inadequate infrastructure.
By leveraging Strava Metro data, UCB demonstrated how real-world cycling insights can shape smarter, more responsive infrastructure planning. Key applications of this study include:
Prioritizing bikeway expansion – Pinpointing the most heavily traveled corridors that lack infrastructure.
Validating planned projects – Ensuring new bikeways align with established cyclist movement patterns.
Supporting advocacy efforts – Strengthening the case for investment in active mobility through data-driven insights.
Strava Metro serves as a powerful complement to traditional counting methods, offering unparalleled detail on cycling behavior at scale. By integrating GPS-based insights into mobility planning, cities can better align infrastructure investments with actual demand.
UCB’s pioneering use of Strava Metro data in Rio de Janeiro offers a scalable model for other Brazilian cities seeking to enhance their cycling networks. By harnessing technology to understand cyclist behavior, planners and advocates can create safer, more connected urban environments that encourage active mobility and sustainable transportation choices.
For full details, explore the interactive maps and study report
