Zürich 2025
We're back for our second edition in Zürich! Check out the information below to find out what's happening in October.
Theme
Cycling Hack is an annual event dedicated to fostering innovative solutions to enhance cycling safety, sustainability, and accessibility across Switzerland.
Participants from diverse backgrounds—including tech enthusiasts, urban planners, students, apprentices, and anyone passionate about promoting cycling—collaborate in a dynamic environment to address real-world cycling challenges.
The theme for Cycling HACK Zurich 2025 will be revealed during the kick-off event in October.
Teams will have one week to hack remotely on their idea, before presenting it back to our panel of judges one week later.
Last year in Zurich our teams hacked for ideas to make cycling safer in Zurich. In Geneva the 2025 theme was how to encourage hesitant but interested cyclists to take their first ride on their bike. To keep the challenge fair, we will only reveal the Zurich theme at the kick-off event in October.
Mission
Teams will have one week to develop innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to the problem space presented during the kick-off event.
Ready to Participate?
Join us for this exciting event and help shape the future of cycling!
Register nowSolution Requirements
-
To be revealed at the kick-off event on the 22nd October!
Areas for Exploration
-
To be revealed at the kick-off event on the 22nd October!
Schedule
October 22, 2025
Welcome & Presentation of Challenge, Rules, and Jury
Keynotes
Networking Apéro riche
October 29, 2025
Team Pitches
Jury deliberation
Networking Apéro riche
Award ceremony
Jury Members
Steve Coucheman
Head of Bicycle Traffic Department, Canton of Zurich
Dave Durner
Bicycle Safety Project Manager, City of Zurich
Catherine Elliot
Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Leader, B+S AG | Business development, moveable/bikeable | Project Coordinator E-Bike City, ETH Zürich
Katharina Endes
Project Director Transformation/Head of Communications, Idée 21
Marc Gschwend
Co-managing director, moveable
Yvonne Müller
Project Manager Bike2school, Pro Velo Schweiz
Urs Walter
Specialist responsible for bicycle traffic at the Federal Roads Office ASTRA
Prizes
1st Place
- Swiss Cycling National Assos Jerseys for each team member
- Voucher for a local cycling shop (amount to be confirmed soon!)
- Tissot Velodrome Track Cycling Taster course for each team member
- B-Fit Local Publibike membership for 1 year for each team member
- Climbfinity cycling scratch map from 100passes.com
- Goodies from our partners
2nd Place
- Coming soon
3rd Place
- Coming soon
Benefits for All Teams
- Networking with leading experts and influential figures in cycling advocacy
- Connecting with potential investors and supporters for your idea
- Enjoying a creative and collaborative environment
- Receiving exclusive goodies from our partners and sponsors
A Note on Winning
Having a winning idea is just the beginning. Persistence and determination are key—so even if your team doesn’t win an official prize, keep believing in your idea and making valuable connections. We’re not the experts on which idea will ultimately succeed—only you can make that happen through perseverance. Use this event as your platform to meet inspiring individuals and potential investors who can help bring your vision to life.
Resources
Key Information
Presentation Format
After the kick-off event, you’ll form your team and spend one week developing your idea. At the presentation event, each team will first pitch their idea in a short elevator pitch (max 2 minutes). To ensure fairness and maintain the schedule, a bell will indicate when your time is up. We’ll provide a standardized PowerPoint template to include key points for this initial round.
Following the elevator pitches, the jury will select the top 5 teams to advance to the final round. These finalists will have up to 10 minutes to present their ideas in greater detail, with full creative freedom over the format. A bell will also signal the end of your allotted time for this final presentation.
Language
The event will be conducted entirely in English. If no one on your team is fluent in English, you may present your project in German.
Technical Support
To ensure the success of your team’s idea, comprehensive support will be provided throughout the event. Early in the hackathon week, an online update meeting will be organized to ensure your project is progressing effectively. Additionally, our partner Amazon Web Services offers access to experienced solutions architects who can provide guidance and technical assistance.
FAQ
Who should attend?
Cycling enthusiasts, designers, developers, students, apprentices, policymakers, or anyone passionate about improving cycling safety and sustainability. No technical expertise is required—just creativity, motivation, and a willingness to collaborate.
How big are the team sizes?
Teams should be between two and four people maximum. Don’t worry if you don’t have a team yet—you can register individually, and we’ll connect you with like-minded participants during the kick-off event.
At both of our last events, teams of people who met each other at the kick-off ended up winning prizes in our top three!
Which Technologies & Platforms can we use?
We encourage using resources such as opendata.swiss, but you’re free to select the technologies and platforms that best suit your project’s objectives.
What to bring?
Kick-Off Session (22 October 2025): Bring your enthusiasm! You can join with a pre-formed team or come alone and we’ll help you find teammates.
Final Presentation (29 October 2025): Prepare an elevator pitch (max 2 min) for the first round, and a detailed presentation (max 10 min) if selected for the final round. Ensure at least one team member brings a laptop and charger for your presentation.
What are the rules?
Please review our Code of Conduct for detailed guidelines on participation.
Can I participate remotely?
Currently, Cycling Hack is planned as an on-site event to facilitate collaboration and networking. If you have special circumstances, please reach out to our organising team directly.
What language do we have to present our idea?
The event will be conducted entirely in English. If no one on your team is comfortable presenting in English, you are of course welcome to present your project in German.
What if I just want to watch?
We encourage people to be part of a team, but if you really just want to watch, please signup as well for catering purposes.
Ready to Participate?
Join us for this exciting event and help shape the future of cycling!
Register now