Source: Pedelecs and E-Bikes

The EU-funded MegaBITS project officially launched its Cycle Data Space in January 2026, marking a significant development in the digitalisation of cycling and micromobility across Europe. It has been created to support the open, international exchange of cycling-related mobility and infrastructure data, helping cities, regions and companies improve cycling conditions and expand sustainable transport options.

The Cycle Data Space is built on the Mobility Data Space (MDS), a secure data-sharing framework for mobility-related information funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport.

MegaBITS aims to leverage this established technological environment to create a dedicated European data ecosystem focused specifically on cycling.

“The MDS offers a secure, proven IT environment and an existing community that ideally supports the Cycle Data Space,” explained Caspar Van Gheluwe of imec, who leads the MegaBITS project. He emphasised that the system allows data providers to remain in control, deciding “who may use which data and under what conditions,” while still enabling easier access for potential users across Europe.

Decentralised structure ensures data sovereignty

The Cycle Data Space functions as a sub-data space within the broader MDS network. Unlike traditional centralised databases, information is exchanged peer-to-peer between members rather than stored in one location. This approach ensures that participants retain full sovereignty over their datasets and can choose whether information is shared only within the cycling-focused space or also with other MDS users.

“With the Cycle Data Space, MDS is expanding its portfolio to include cycling as a mode of transport,” said Julius Meyer, Business Development Manager at MDS. “ It demonstrates that MDS offers a technically sophisticated platform for national and international data-sharing projects.”

MDS already includes participants from around 20 nations, and the Cycle Data Space has begun with active data providers from four countries.

Supporting safer cycling and new business models

The platform consolidates a wide range of datasets relevant to cycling and micromobility. These include information on cycle paths, traffic volumes, accident hotspots, shared e-scooter and rental bike services, e-bike charging zones and parking infrastructure. The data is complemented by construction site updates and real-time environmental information such as weather conditions and air quality.

MegaBITS expects the Cycle Data Space to contribute to safer and more attractive cycling environments, strengthen infrastructure planning and increase the overall share of bicycle transport. At the same time, the initiative is designed to create the foundation for emerging micromobility business opportunities, including improved sharing operations and smarter route-planning applications.

The Dutch city of Zwolle has highlighted the value of cross-border collaboration enabled by the platform with the following statement:

“Through the Mobility Data Space, we exchange data with other participants and gain access to valuable mobility data. This allows us to make informed decisions and design safe, comfortable and sustainable cycle paths.”

Growing European participation

Several European cities and regions are already contributing data at launch, including Hamburg, Copenhagen, Enschede, Zwolle, the provinces of Antwerp and Overijssel, and the Le Havre metropolitan region. Other municipalities have also expressed interest in joining, signalling growing momentum behind Europe-wide cooperation to strengthen cycling infrastructure and micromobility services through shared digital resources.