The Brazilian Cyclist Profile Research, organized by Transporte Ativo with technical collaboration from the Observatório das Metrópoles and sponsored by Itaú Unibanco, represents a pioneering effort in creating a longitudinal cycling mobility census in Brazil. Conducted every three years, the 2024 edition mobilized over 250 researchers across 18 cities, resulting in 11,956 interviews. This collaborative initiative provides low-cost, high-impact data to address the persistent lack of cycling mobility data in Brazil and other Global South contexts.

Despite municipal authorities frequently citing the absence of reliable cycling data, this study unveils crucial insights into barriers, motivations, and opportunities for cycling adoption. Key findings include:

51% of cyclists ride to save money, underscoring cycling’s economic role.

46% of female cyclists cite safety concerns as their main barrier.

58% of cyclists ride daily, proving its significance as a transport mode.

31% of respondents increased their cycling frequency in the past year, signaling a growing trend.

The study moves beyond traditional transport surveys by integrating social, cultural, and economic dimensions of cycling behavior. The findings inform evidence-based policymaking, shaping cycling infrastructure investments, safety policies, and public awareness campaigns. Additionally, the open-access methodology enables replication across different urban contexts, fostering regional and international knowledge exchange.

This workshop will explore the research methodology, present findings, and discuss how citizen-generated data can drive policy transformation. Through interactive exercises and case studies, participants will collaborate on strategies to apply similar research methodologies in their own cities.