Make your commute count - Strava launches Global Bike to Work Day (+ video)

Strava has launched Global Bike to Work Day, with the inaugural edition taking place a fornight tomorrow on Tuesday 10 May – and due to its Strava Metro initiative, taking part could end up making your commute more bike-friendly.

There are already similar initiatives in countries around the world, of course – in the UK, Cycle to Work Day on 3 September last year saw a record 32,763 people participate, an 88 per cent increase on the previous year, racking up nearly half a million miles between them.

The difference with the Strava initiative – besides the fact it is a worldwide one, and billed as the biggest such event ever – lies in the network’s ability to capture and use data gathered from its members’ rides.

Anonymised data from Strave Metro relating to commutes uploaded to the ride and run-tracking website are used by more than 70 organisations and government agencies in cities worldwide, says the company.

> London & Glasgow sign up with Strava to find out where cyclists ride

That allows urban planners to see where improvements to infrastructure are needed for people on bike or on foot, says Strava, which adds that nearly half the activities logged on it in dense urban areas relate to commuting.

UK-based cycling artist Rich Mitchelson has created this short film which shows how Strava Metro works and highlights the #CommutesCount hashtag that has been devised for Global Bike to Work Day.

Strava’s VP of marketing, Gareth Nettleton, said; "Strava Metro is a revolutionary product that only a business like Strava can create.

“We’ve been helping runners and cyclists track their activities since 2009, and their billions of anonymised data points have given us a unique perspective on how they move through urban areas.

“When we combine our perspective with local government data and research, Strava can be a very insightful partner to urban planners and municipalities that want to promote and improve cycling in their city.”

His message to the network’s members is: “Your Strava commute counts because every activity has the potential to make a difference to cycling in your area.

“It doesn’t matter if you ride 1 mile or 50 miles, if you ride to work on 10th May you can be a part of a global movement to make cities better for cyclists.”

If you take part, you'll also get the Global Bike to Work Day Strava Challenge Badge.