#Brum

The snow has melted leaving behind huge potholes on many of Birmingham’s roads. So what can we do about it?

The council has set up two numbers to help. You can report a pothole on 0121 303 6644 (daytime) or 0121 303 4149 (evening / weekends). We also recommend that you contact FixMyStreet who will pester the council on your behalf. This way you have a record of the complaint and can see its progress.

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Popularity: 30% [?]

I’m interested in creating a map similar to ones that are made in the US which pinpoints potential hazards for cyclists. So far this Birmingham Cyclist Map has marked cycle journeys and will add any potential hazards I spot with a pink pin. I will also be adding any road information about potholes from Fix My Street.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

I’m investigating how safe Birmingham is for cyclists. Part of this involves mapping the city, using data to locate fatal collisions but also encouraging other bike riders to record near misses and smaller safety concerns.

I’ve also been tracking my own cycle journeys recording my hazards. Because of the winter weather, I had to ride an old bicycle which I’ve christened ‘snow bike’ Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 17% [?]

I decided it was about time to get out there and start tracking my own cycle routes. On the map below you can see my latest track. Click on the Recent Tracks tab and you can scroll through all my journeys as I wheel about, gathering cycle interviews and other usual daily Hashbrum business. The Play button on this widget is the most fun.

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Popularity: 29% [?]

This is an experimental project from the Hashbrum team.

The idea is to turn a Google Wave into a resource on a particular subject.

Feel free to join in, add anything you like, let the Wave develop, and comment below!

(If you need a Google Wave invitation, @carolinebeavon has a few! If you have any going spare, let the world know in the comments section!)

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Popularity: 32% [?]

I’ve been running this investigation since November so to save you reading through the comments section and Help Me Investigate page here’s an update.

Mapping Birmingham
A local news search of fatality locations has only been successful on recent accidents so I’ve sent off another Freedom Of Information request.

Data released by the government recorded UK wide accidents involving pedal cycles. I’ve converted from OSGR grid references to Long/Lat readings but so far I’ve not found a way of putting such a large amount of data (16,000 per year) onto a map. If you know a map site that can handle this (Dave Harte pointed out that Times Online have managed it) then please comment below. I’m also interested in just pulling pinpoints for just Birmingham.

I’ve added the terrible accident which took place before Christmas and the accident that took place on New Year’s Day and with your help we can keep this map up-to-date. However, I want to highlight dangerous areas that a cyclist should be aware rather than just a crash map.

Encouragingly, similar investigations are taking place in both New York and Cardiff but I don’t want this investigation to end with this map.

Pedalling Some More
I want to go further than just stats. Over the next few weeks I will be filming my own cycle exploits and finding out what cycling Birmingham is like by talking to other cyclists and organisations. If you have anything to add about cycling in Birmingham then please comment or contact.

Popularity: 25% [?]