The Isle of Wight Council is seeking a partner organisation to help create the UK’s first SMART cycling corridor, which aims to boost cycle usage between Cowes and Newport by using innovative digital technology.
Having secured ring fenced, external funding from the Department for Transport through the Sustainable Travel Transition Year 2016/2017 Programme, the Council is offering grant funding to attract a partner organisation to develop and deliver a digital solution during the current financial year.
Although initially to be designed for the popular Cowes to Newport Route, which already generates 110,000 annual cycling trips, the SMART cycling corridor could, in future years, be replicated for other Island routes and potentially other parts of the UK.
The Council is seeking proposals which will deliver a solution that uses a range of digital information, which could include GPS technology, real time travel information, online or in-app game, points of interest, online photo sharing and messaging.
The project has been inspired by the growth of SMART cities in recent years, which integrate multiple information and communication technology solutions.
Jim Fawcett, principal officer for low carbon projects at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We are seeking to encourage even more people to take up cycling to work as a healthy, low-cost and sustainable alternative to driving. This funding provides us with a unique opportunity to create the country’s first SMART cycling corridor, which aims to make people’s cycling commute more appealing and interesting whilst encouraging people to lead more healthy lives.
Organisations can find out more about the project by reading the grant making prospectus on the council’s website.”
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It is anticipated that the new SMART cycling corridor will be launched in early 2017. The deadline for funding submissions is 17:00 on Friday 9th September.
For more information visit www.iwight.com/prospectus.
Featured photo: Marko Pekic/Freeimages
