Terms of Use

The deal, in plain language.

These terms cover using the Cycling Commons website and account. They're short, readable, and built around the same open principles as the rest of the project.

This is a prototype — a first draft of our intentions, not final or binding policy. It sets out how we intend the Cycling Commons to work. It will change before launch.

Last updated 22 June 2026 · draft v0.1

1Accepting these terms

By using the Cycling Commons website or creating an account, you agree to these terms and to our Privacy notice. If you don't agree, please don't use the service. The Commons is operated by BikeCoders (bikecoders.life) in the Netherlands, heading to an independent foundation as described in our governance.

2Who can use it

You need to be at least 16 to create an account. The information you give us (such as your email) must be accurate and yours to use.

3Your account

  • Keep your password safe; you're responsible for activity under your account.
  • Tell us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access.
  • We may suspend or close accounts used for abuse or to break these terms.

4Using it well

The Commons works because people use it in good faith. Please don't:

  • Break the law, harass others, or post unlawful, misleading, or harmful content.
  • Upload personal data about other people (for example, identifiable individuals in photos) without a proper basis — the Commons maps places, not people.
  • Try to re-identify contributors or undermine the project's sensing boundary that keeps personal data out.
  • Scrape or bulk-extract beyond what the open API and data licence permit, or disrupt the service.

5Your contributions

You keep authorship of what you contribute. To let the Commons be open, you grant the licences in our contributor terms: data joins the Commons under the ODbL 1.0, and media (photos, video) under CC BY-SA 4.0.

You confirm that you have the right to contribute what you submit, that it doesn't infringe anyone else's rights, and that it isn't personal data about other people.

6Open data & the API

The Commons data and media are free for anyone to use — including commercially — under their licences, with attribution. See the developer docs for the API, bulk export, and the attribution line.

7Our code & brand

The platform source is source-available under the PolyForm Shield License 1.0.0 — use it for anything except running a product that competes with the Cycling Commons. The "Cycling Commons" name and logo aren't licensed for uses that imply endorsement or affiliation.

8A preview, not a guarantee

9No warranty

The service is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We don't guarantee it will be accurate, uninterrupted, or error-free.

10Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Dutch law, BikeCoders is not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from your use of the Commons. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.

11Suspension & ending

You can close your account at any time in settings. We may suspend or end access if these terms are broken or to protect the Commons or its users.

12Governing law

These terms are governed by the law of the Netherlands. Disputes will be subject to the competent Dutch courts, unless mandatory consumer law gives you other rights.

13Changes

We may update these terms; we'll post changes here with a new date. Continuing to use the Commons after a change means you accept the updated terms.

14Contact

Questions about these terms: info@cyclingcommons.org.

See also our Privacy notice and the data, media and code licences.