UKLL newsletter October 2024: growing participation and community-driven innovation / 1.10.2024

The Urban Cycling Lab Ljubljana reaches a key participation milestone while participants actively contribute to both data collection and project development.

In October 2024, the Urban Cycling Lab Ljubljana (UKLL) approached an important milestone, reaching nearly half of its target of 250 participants, with around 125 active contributors involved in the study. With several months of data collection still ahead, the project continues to expand its participant base, including cyclists who commute throughout the winter period.

Beyond data collection, participant engagement within the Living Lab has taken on a more active and creative role. Participants contribute in different ways—some by consistently collecting high-quality data, others by extending their measurement activities, and some by directly improving the research setup. One notable example includes a participant who designed and 3D-printed a custom holder for the measurement microphone, enabling easier and more practical use of the equipment during cycling. This type of contribution illustrates how users move beyond the role of data providers to actively shape the tools and processes used in the research.

The project was also featured in a radio interview on Val 202 (Zelena luč), where the team discussed the broader context of urban mobility, environmental exposure, and participatory research. Such outreach activities further strengthen the connection between the Living Lab and the wider public, helping to communicate both the purpose and impact of the work.

Overall, the continued growth of the participant community and their increasing involvement in shaping the project highlight a key strength of the Living Lab approach: the ability to integrate real-world users not only into data collection, but also into the development and refinement of research tools and methodologies.

The full newsletter is available at: https://mailchi.mp/57dd5d1ee16e/novice-iz-okoljske-obanske-znanosti-oktober24