Pump+Ask+Improve

1. Concept

• Pump: Provide free, pop-up bicycle service stations (air, lights, minor fixes) in everyday locations.

• Ask: Use the service encounter to run short on-the-spot surveys and interviews about barriers to cycling, missing gear, and local needs.

• Improve: Aggregate and analyze the technical + survey data to produce a Cycling Deficiency Atlas and concrete policy recommendations for municipalities.

2. Process

A) Pump (Service Intervention)

• Mobile pump & safety-check stations at commuting corridors, schools, shopping streets.

• Standardized checklist: tire pressure, lights, brakes.

• Log technical deficiencies (e.g., % with underinflated tires, broken lights, missing reflectors).

B) Ask (Field Research)

• 2–4 quick questions per rider:

  • What are your biggest cycling hurdles? (infrastructure, safety, missing gear, weather, time, other).

  • Which gear do you lack? (helmet, rain gear, child seat, cargo bike, e-bike, repair tools).

  • What single improvement would matter most to you?

• Short qualitative chats: “What would make cycling easier for you here?”

C) Improve (Analysis & Policy Translation)

• Data fusion: technical logs + survey results + context (infrastructure maps, service availability).

• Outputs:

  • Cycling Deficiency Atlas with three layers:

    1. Infrastructure gaps (lanes, crossings, parking).

    2. Gear gaps (lack of access to affordable equipment).

    3. Service & tech gaps (repair deserts, missing apps, charging hubs).

  • Policy brief with prioritized measures: “quick wins” (e.g., public pumps, subsidies for gear) + long-term infrastructure planning.

3. Advantages

• Low-threshold engagement: free service attracts a wide rider base, not just enthusiasts.

• Mixed evidence: objective technical checks + subjective survey insights.

• Actionable outputs: municipalities receive not only data but a menu of interventions (infra, gear, service).

4. Expected Impact

• Citizens: Direct benefit (bike fixed) + voice heard.

• Policy-makers: Evidence-based prioritization for infrastructure & support programs.

• Equity: Identifies affordability & access issues (gear, cargo, e-bikes).

• Sustainability: More cycling, better-maintained bikes, safer rides.

5. Pilot Example

1. 4 weeks: Pump+Ask stations at 6 locations.

2. Reach 1,000+ cyclists; collect data on technical deficits & barriers.

3. Month 2–3: Data analysis & Deficiency Atlas.

4. Month 4: Stakeholder workshop (city, cycling groups, retailers) → define Improve Package.