Meet Hackforge and supporters for a launch event celebrating WindsorEssexCycling.ca, a free web application providing comfort-oriented wayfinding for cyclists in Windsor-Essex. Join Hackforge and our partners online or in-person this Thursday for a launch event highlighting the features and benefits of WindsorEssexCycling.ca.
V1 launched in 2022, serving as a proof-of-concept. It was built using ideas that emerged from a series of cycling-focused community events, culminating in a hackathon that put cyclists and developers together to discuss technical solutions to cycling problems. This new release features an updated user interface and our most-requested feature: turn-by-turn directions.
The app relies on map and route data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), the world’s largest free digital mapping resource. Besides building the app, Hackforge has invested effort to build a community of practice around OSM to help improve the quality of local map data. This work will also serve to improve Windsor-Essex’s representation on maps and apps other than WindsorEssexCycling.ca, such as Strava, Facebook maps, and TomTom GPS devices.
WindsorEssexCycling.ca relies on OSM data about road types and configuration, speed limits, and surface conditions. All of these data points are considered against each other and used to guide users towards routes that have lower speeds, less traffic, and dedicated cycling infrastructure, where possible.
WindsorEssexCycling.ca is funded by The City of Windsor’s former Bicycling Committee, The County of Essex’s County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), Hackforge’s Tourism Innovation Lab, and Parallel 42 Systems.
Windsor’s Karol Jasniewicz, a high school student at the time, provided the initial development on WindsorEssexCycling.ca v2. Veteran developers Haley Tibbits of London, Randy Topliffe of Windsor, and Doug Sartori of Windsor crafted the final release version of the app based on Karol’s work.
Please visit the event page for more information or to register to attend the event at Hackforge (300 Ouellete, Suite 210) on Thursday September 19th at 6pm.
Quotes:
Lauren Hedges, Hackforge Managing Director: “As a community-focused organization, we’re incredibly proud to launch the newest iteration of WindsorEssexCycling.ca. By leveraging open data and focusing on community consultation, we’ve created a tool that not only encourages safe and sustainable transportation but also reflects the unique needs and input of local cyclists.”
Kieran McKenzie, Ward 9 Windsor City Councillor: “As the number of both commuter and recreational cyclists continues to grow it has become increasingly apparent that riders need better tools to be able to plan safe and efficient routes to their destinations. This scalable and handy tool, developed locally, will help riders navigate Windsor/Essex better than ever before. I am so grateful to all of the partners who came together to make this a reality and look forward to the continued positive growth of cycling in our community.”
For media inquiries, interviews, or more, please contact:
Lauren Hedges, Hackforge Managing Director
Visit the application at