Where are the "low-stress" bike routes in Richmond? That’s the question Bike Walk RVA hopes to answer. Last week, the local organization announced its partnership with Bike Streets to launch an interactive map tracking easygoing rides in Richmond, and it's driven by your submissions.

What is Bike Streets?

At its core, Bike Streets is a navigational app designed to encourage ridership across the US, and it currently operates in 40+ participating cities.

Each city’s map crowdsources baseline routes from locals who are — well, riding the routes. Community contributions pair with data-driven criteria like speed limits and existing bike lanes to generate rider-friendly suggestions.

How to use the map:

If you’re inspired to get behind the handlebars and submit route suggestions, you’ll need to make a free account on the app.

Elise here: I found it surprisingly simple. All it required was my email and a code verification.

Users can then contribute routes, report hazards, suggest revisions, and leave comments only locals would know, but everyone — active user or not — is welcome to start exploring.

Example:

Last week, Richmond user Renee H. logged a ride from Westover Hills to Byrd Park. The route includes a ride along the scenic Nickle (Boulevard) Bridge. Heed Renee’s advice: “Use sidewalk when crossing Nickle Bridge. Steep hill down and less steep hill up heading towards Byrd Park.”

User John M. logged a similar course and noted, “The northbound bike lanes end awkwardly [at the intersection just south of the bridge]. Most riders cross over and ride the sidewalk across the bridge.”

Bonus: With a free account, you can accrue points through rides + route submissions for a chance to be featured on weekly leaderboards.