City, County Announce Joint Effort with Non-Profit on Crowdsourced Cycling App

Community Tech Advocacy Group Hackforge to Lead Robust Community Consultation

WINDSOR, ON., February 8, 2022 – Today, Windsor Hackforge hosted a virtual event to announce the launch of a new initiative in partnership with The City of Windsor Bicycle Committee, The County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), and Parallel 42 Systems. Titled C3Tech (short for “City-County Cycling Technology”), this project aims to leverage open source software to create digital tools that will make navigating Windsor and Essex County by bike safer, easier, and more fulfilling.

Through community engagement, including townhall forums and hackathons, cyclists and developers will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, data and code to the initiative. Hackforge events are learning, networking, and community building opportunities for people of all ages and experience levels.

“The mandate of the Windsor Bicycling Committee is to enhance the safety and viability of bicycling in the City of Windsor. To that end, I was proud as Chair that we supported an initiative to make cycling more accessible to people in our community,” says Windsor Bicycling Committee Chair and Ward 9 Councillor Kieran McKenzie. “Working together with these partners and other stakeholders as well as the public will help us to create a tool that will put more riders on the streets and help us as a region to realize all of the social, environmental, economic and public health benefits that active transportation can create.”

A strong proponent of the local tech ecosystem, “Parallel 42 Systems is glad to contribute resources and expertise to an initiative supporting active transportation in our region,” says Parallel 42 Systems lead consultant Doug Sartori. “Hackforge’s approach to the project will leverage the strength of the tech community and demonstrate the value of open data and open source software.”

Cyclists can contribute their thoughts and ideas through a short survey and anyone interested can join the Hackforge Discord to connect with organizers, mentors, and developers. Project information and event listings will be updated regularly on the Hackforge website.

About Windsor Hackforge

Windsor Hackforge is a technology non-profit established in 2012. They focus on creating connections within and strengthening the local tech community.

About Parallel 42 Systems

Parallel 42 Systems is a partnership of software practitioners that provides consulting and software development services to companies large and small.

About CWATS

The County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) is a 400km+ network of active transportation facilities (including multi-use trails, paved shoulders, bike lanes, and more) connecting all seven municipalities within Essex County. Construction over the next 20 years will see the network expand to over 1000 km.

About The City of Windsor Bicycle Committee

The Windsor Bicycling Committee (WBC) is comprised of 10 members, including one City Councillor, who strive to enhance the safety and viability of bicycling in the City of Windsor.