Posted by: gcbb on: March 13, 2008
I have been looking at the bike sharing system in Oslo as a possible context for my project. What appeals to me about this particular context is its connection to the local. The bike depots are placed locally and in well defined areas of the neighbourhood. The bikes themselves connects different areas in new ways, and stimulates exploration of new areas. Also using the bikes gives a community feeling, and a connection to other city-bike users you pas on the way. The System allows for interaction with more or less motivated people, and further the huge daily activity can generate a lot of data. About you, about the bike and about the system. What to do with this data is another thing.
My proposal is blogging city-bikes. There are about a thousand bikes in Oslo at the moment, so maybe only a third or so of the bikes may be engaged. The bikes will be equipped with a GPS reciever, a camera and possibilities to upload the data collected. In use, the camera will take random photos triggered by speed, location, transit, etc. The data can be compiled to concern the individual users, the individual bikes themselves, and mashed on top of maps, and used in timelaps films from destination to destination.
[...] come to is to use the citybikes as a tool for mapping the city, and the local areas in the city. As I have said before, I consider the citybikes to be a resource far beyond mere means for transportation. They [...]