Case Study
Detecting cycling activities with the use of Strava Heatmaps; Use of online available data in questions of visitor management
Contact name
DI Susanne Leputsch
Institution name
Vienna, Municipal Department 49, Forestry Office and Urban Agriculture
Region & country
Austria, Vienna, Viennese share of the Donau-Auen National Park "Lobau"
Summary
Members publicly share their sporting activities on the Strava social media platform, allowing for tracking of frequently used routes. Each year, new patterns emerge, and the map helps identify areas of illegal use of running paths by cyclists. The 2023 heatmap was particularly useful for visitor management, highlighting issues like illegal path usage and off-path activities. This visual evidence played a key role in discussions with decision-makers.
The edited heatmap proved invaluable in making timely decisions, enabling quick actions such as communication and supervision measures. It also supported initiatives like the Lobau Together Weeks, helping to find allies and foster collaboration.
Online available data
(C) 2023 Strava | (C) Mapbox | (C) OpenStreetMap
Edited heatmap showing cycling activities and resulting management challenges
Map and Data (C) Strava.com Heatmap (December 2023), edited by PlanSinn (April 2024)
Trail adaptation to the needs of the user groups
left: Map and Data (C) Strava.com Heatmap (December 2023), edited by PlanSinn (April 2024); right: Map and Data (C) OpenCycleMap via komoot.de (May 2024), edited by PlanSinn (June 2024)
Background of the project
Before the actions were taken, the situation was challenging. The growing city, with an expected 50% population increase in the district containing Lobau, coupled with new online tools, led to increased misuse of the area. Around half of the routes within the national park were being used illegally. Sports cyclists, who often travel at high speeds, were particularly disruptive to other visitors, negatively impacting their recreational experience. Additionally, the illegal use of paths posed a significant threat to the park’s wildlife and plant life.
Identified needs include the implementation of additional communication measures to explain the regulations and raise awareness. These measures must be carried out both online and on-site, featuring updated maps, signage, and enhanced communication strategies. Collaboration with stakeholders is crucial to ensure the message reaches a wider audience. Additionally, correcting online data on platforms like OpenStreetMap and working with providers of maps and trails for outdoor activities is necessary to ensure accurate information is available.
Solution and actions taken
Solutions found include collaborating with partners and stakeholders to create better maps and signage, while expanding effective actions that combine personal communication with nature experiences. Additionally, actively reaching out to providers of outdoor applications to address the situation, find solutions, and correct the data together is key. These platforms can also be used to promote legal routes, such as through initiatives like Digitize the Planet, making the legislation applicable to outdoor platforms.
Together with our partners we indicated corrections to OpenStreetMap to offer legal routes, e.g. Komoot collections. We worked on possible adaptations of routes, are creating new maps and signs that will clearly show legal routes and restrictions, new pilot entrances in the National Park, that make the transition clearly visible. We conducted Lobau Together Weeks actively combining supervision and communication to raise awareness and acceptance for good behavior in the National Park.
Other institutions or parties involved
e.g. National Park Administration, nature conservation authorities, municipalities, landowners, stakeholders, provider of online outdoor maps.
Results
Positive effect in 2024 was a reduction of illegal use of paths.
Challenges
Changes in behavior of visitors, especially that live closely, counting and montoring of visitors, the sustainability of the process (ongoing ensure political support and personnel ressources, collaborations with local stakeholders, especially cycling community, improve online information at relevant platforms)
Lessons learned
Collaboration leads to a more sustainable use of the parks. It supports the effective protection of species and habitats.
Contact name
DI Susanne Leputsch
Institution name
Vienna, Municipal Department 49, Forestry Office and Urban Agriculture