Wish Austin had a safer bike network? There’s an app for that. The Ride Report app has recently been launched in Austin and its goal is to collect crowd-sourced data about cycling use and street safety.

Here’s how it works –
Bicycle riders can download the app, which then passively recognizes that you’re riding a bike and tracks your route. At the end of the ride, the app asks you to vote on whether or not your route was stressful/dangerous. Once enough users download the app, the information will be aggregated to create one of the best bike maps in the city. The map will show both stress levels and frequency of use, allowing you to better choose your own routes.

The city’s planning staff will also use the data collected by the app to better direct bicycle investments where they are most needed. More info>>

(Please note – the app is currently only available for iPhone users. An android version is expected to be released this fall.)