An RFID tag attached to a bicycle. The "Cykel Score" concept is also looking at using Smartphones in the near future.

A Danish concept using electronic chips to reward cyclists going to school and work is being exported across Europe.

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The idea originally kicked off in the Danish municipality of Fredericia one years ago when local government was trying to boost bicycle traffic by 50%.

An example of the "check-point" installed at a local school in Frederica.

With the help of Danish bicycle guru, Troels Andersen, the city came up with the concept of “Cykel Skore”. They created 19 “checkpoints” at schools, workplaces cinemas etc. and gave radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to cyclists. Participants were then tracked and rewarded by the number of kilometres they cycled.

The original idea is also being expanded for use on Smartphones with an app, meaning there would be no need for tags or checkpoints.

“The concept is simple,” says Henk Hendriks, Project Manager at European Cyclists' Federation, “the more people ride, the more they are rewarded. And the more they were rewarded, the more they cycled.”

ECF is now part of a European Funded Project known as “Bike the Track-Track the Bike” that wants to see the concept expand. Over 20 cycling experts from more than 7 different countries met in Rotterdam last week to see how this innovative idea could be
applied to different cities. Ljubljana (Slovenia), Munster (Germany), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Algarve (Portugal),  Espoo (Finland) and Venice (Italy) are all on board, and are reportedly going to implement the program. 

Hendriks believes that this concept could boost cycling in "climber" cycling cities. He also believes that it can help cities focus on groups that traditionally cycle less, and notes how the project has been especially successful with children. 

 “The next step is to get 10 additional cities interested in stimulating cyclist to cycle more often within the 3 years period of the project.”

The Cykel Score project has been especially popular with children

The idea has even sparked interest in North America, with the project being presented at the Velo-city Global conference in Vancouver, Canada. 

Interested in getting your city involved in the "B-Track-B" project? Send an email to ECF project manager Henk Hendriks. He's currently on the look-out for interested cities that want to try this out. You can also visit the project page on ECF's website. 

About the Author

Founded in 1983, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is the umbrella federation of the national cyclists’ associations in Europe, reinforced by similar organisations from other parts of the world. ECF seeks to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations at the European level. ECF stimulates and organises the exchange of information and expertise on bicycle related transport policies and strategies as well as the work of the cyclists’ movement.