C3Tech is a regional initiative that will bring the local tech and cycling communities together. This partnership will build tools to help residents and visitors safely and easily navigate Windsor and Essex County by bike.
Hackforge has joined with The City of Windsor Bicycle Committee, the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), Parallel 42 Systems, and the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab (OTIL) to bring this project to life.
Throughout 2022 we will connect with organizations to improve and engage the community through hackathons, mapping parties, and development/software tutorials. Hackforge events are learning, networking, and community-building opportunities for people of all ages and experience levels.
As this project is being created, users can follow the progress at WindsorEssexCycling.ca
Developers
The backbone of this project will be OpenStreetMaps (OSM) and it's cycling-specific layer CyclOSM. We have identified other open source solutions - such as the turn-by-turn navigation application BRouter - that can also be integrated into our final product. We encourage developers to bring their own solutions to the table as well!
Developers are welcome and encouraged to contribute to this project throughout the year. Anyone interested can submit pull a request for review at any time, and we are planning periodic open-discussion sessions where developers are encouraged to ask questions and share ideas. Developers can also engage with the rest of the Hackforge community on our Discord server.
Cyclists
To help us make a tool you want to use, we need your advice and input into what it should do and how it should work.
Through our Cyclist Survey, we learned how our pedalling community uses technology to assist their rides, and which features are missing from the tools they currently use.
Review the full survey results for more detail.
Businesses and Organizations
Whether you’re a cycling club, a homeschool co-op, or a winery, you can benefit from and contribute to this initiative as well. We aim to cover the entire region and to offer information that will be of interest to cyclists with a diverse range of experience and interests. Submit your business information to make sure you appear on our maps, and join our town hall forums to let us know what digital cycling tools will serve you best.
If you’re really interested in having a specific feature available in the final tool, get in touch to learn more about how you can offer a bounty or prize for the best implementation of your idea. More information about development sponsorship can be found here.
Upcoming Events
Stay Tuned!