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Bicycle Crashes and GPS Data

Home » Bicycle Crashes and GPS Data
October 14, 2015
Edward Smith

bikeA quick YouTube search of “dash cam” will elicit many returns of auto accidents captured on video.  Similarly, many motorcyclists utilize helmet-mounted cameras, such as Go-Pros to record any incidents.  More and more, bicyclists are following suit.  A cyclist injured in a crash could have been recording his or her ride via a GPS-enabled computer when the incident occurred. Modern technology enables a cyclist to record the following data from satellite navigation systems identical to those used in our vehicles:

  • Latitude and longitude
  • Elevation
  • Vehicle speed at a given instance
  • Average vehicle speed
  • Maximum vehicle speed
  • Total ride time
  • Distance traveled

Also, optional sensors may record:

  • Heart rate of rider
  • Power output of rider
  • Pedal cadence

There are several social media apps available via smart phone that use the phone’s GPS system – Strava is the name of one such app. Strava gives the option to record a ride directly from a rider’s smart phone or to download data regarding the ride from another GPS device, such as a Garmin, to Strava’s website. The app and website provide some entertaining competition for bicyclists.  

In the unfortunate case of a bicycle accident with such an app enabled, experts can analyze this downloadable data for use in investigation of the circumstances that lead to the incident.

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bicycle accident attorney with the most informative and comprehensive accident site on the internet, www.AutoAccident.com.  If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, please feel free to call me for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400.  If you are outside of the Sacramento region, call toll free at (800) 404-5400.  Be sure to check our reviews at Yelp! and Avvo.