Orange_99
Explanation of effort accompanies this link....I've signed, as have many others from Bike Journal....In my opinion it could be a life saver.
http://www.googlemapsbikethere.org/
http://www.googlemapsbikethere.org/
Google maps "Bike there" Petition
The BikeForums Team
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Recycle
Explanation of effort accompanies this link....I've signed, as have many others from Bike Journal....In my opinion it could be a life saver.
http://www.googlemapsbikethere.org/
[I just deleted my previous post which, on re-reading, came across as being overly critical which was not my intention]
I think this is a great idea if Google can work out routes similar to the maps provided by the states of WI and IL, and the city of Chicago. Routes are rated by traffic volume, lane width, use and general suitibility for cycling. If the Google application is limited to routes with bike lanes it wouldn't be very useful.
http://www.googlemapsbikethere.org/
[I just deleted my previous post which, on re-reading, came across as being overly critical which was not my intention]
I think this is a great idea if Google can work out routes similar to the maps provided by the states of WI and IL, and the city of Chicago. Routes are rated by traffic volume, lane width, use and general suitibility for cycling. If the Google application is limited to routes with bike lanes it wouldn't be very useful.
StrangeWill
Um, there is a google maps API, why not... make your own?
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
baiskeli
Um, there is a google maps API, why not... make your own?
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
I think I just found my pet project
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
I think I just found my pet project
BikeManDan
Um, there is a google maps API, why not... make your own?
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
Can I write an API to make stupid posts like yours go away?
ZOMG REAL WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST STARTING A PETITION.
Edit:
As for me, I check "avoid freeways" and away I go.
Can I write an API to make stupid posts like yours go away?
Allister
Can I write an API to make stupid posts like yours go away?
If not, you could always start an internet petition.
If not, you could always start an internet petition.
Eli_Damon
What is the difference between this proposed feature and the existing "avoid highways" feature, which I am very happy with? What standard would be used to decide whether a given road could be part of a "bike route"?
John E
I happily use Google's "avoid highways" and "minimum distance" features when planning a bicycle trip. Because I live in San Diego County, I have an additional very valuabe resource, SANDAG's countywide bicycle map, which denotes Class I, Class II, and Class III facilities.
Recommend bicycle routes are a great idea, but I am not sure whether creating a map or other guide is best done by local cycling groups, local government, or the folks in the Googleplex. Since Google claims to be an environmentally aware corporation, its management might actually welcome the opportunity to become involved in this effort.
Recommend bicycle routes are a great idea, but I am not sure whether creating a map or other guide is best done by local cycling groups, local government, or the folks in the Googleplex. Since Google claims to be an environmentally aware corporation, its management might actually welcome the opportunity to become involved in this effort.
bizzz111
I thought some GPS software (magellean or tom tom maybe) had a built in "bike" feature? Maybe I'm crazy, but I could have sworn I saw something like that somewhere.
The one bad thing about using google's "avoid highways" function is that it doesn't highlight any bike trails or mup's.
I tried that once with google and was surprised to find out there was a mup right (obscured by trees) next to the fairly busy street I was biking down for a couple of miles.
The one bad thing about using google's "avoid highways" function is that it doesn't highlight any bike trails or mup's.
I tried that once with google and was surprised to find out there was a mup right (obscured by trees) next to the fairly busy street I was biking down for a couple of miles.
StrangeWill
Can I write an API to make stupid posts like yours go away?
Can you look up what an API is? How about not respond with being a ******bag because I was 100% right? Google provides excellent tools, they're not our personal programmers.
The main point of my post is that people can easily whine about wanting something, especially when the answer is one programmer and a few weeks of worth away, but instead they'd rather start an internet petition (obviously, these people have no clue that these never work), it's a clear sign of priorities.
What is the difference between this proposed feature and the existing "avoid highways" feature, which I am very happy with? What standard would be used to decide whether a given road could be part of a "bike route"?
I just do it because it works well here, typically it would be nice to be able to look up the existence of bike lanes, bike paths, road quality, speed limits, and such. However then the user needs to be able to prioritize this kind of stuff, because you'll never find two cyclists that have the same cutoff points.
Bike paths in general would be awesome, that would make it worth it already, however I don't think Google maps includes bike path information, only road information, then again I didn't think Google maps' API had elevation information but apparently it did looking at other people's projects. Personally I've never touched the API.
Can you look up what an API is? How about not respond with being a ******bag because I was 100% right? Google provides excellent tools, they're not our personal programmers.
The main point of my post is that people can easily whine about wanting something, especially when the answer is one programmer and a few weeks of worth away, but instead they'd rather start an internet petition (obviously, these people have no clue that these never work), it's a clear sign of priorities.
What is the difference between this proposed feature and the existing "avoid highways" feature, which I am very happy with? What standard would be used to decide whether a given road could be part of a "bike route"?
I just do it because it works well here, typically it would be nice to be able to look up the existence of bike lanes, bike paths, road quality, speed limits, and such. However then the user needs to be able to prioritize this kind of stuff, because you'll never find two cyclists that have the same cutoff points.
Bike paths in general would be awesome, that would make it worth it already, however I don't think Google maps includes bike path information, only road information, then again I didn't think Google maps' API had elevation information but apparently it did looking at other people's projects. Personally I've never touched the API.
Eli_Damon
Bike paths in general would be awesome, that would make it worth it already, however I don't think Google maps includes bike path information, only road information, then again I didn't think Google maps' API had elevation information but apparently it did looking at other people's projects. Personally I've never touched the API.
I hadn't thought of that. It would good if Google recognized bike paths, hiking trails, etc.
Incidentally, I see a grey curve on some Google maps. I don't know what they represent but you can't drag a route onto it. For example, look at this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.650808,-73.760448&spn=0.001365,0.002977&z=18). What is that grey thing?
I hadn't thought of that. It would good if Google recognized bike paths, hiking trails, etc.
Incidentally, I see a grey curve on some Google maps. I don't know what they represent but you can't drag a route onto it. For example, look at this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.650808,-73.760448&spn=0.001365,0.002977&z=18). What is that grey thing?
StrangeWill
I hadn't thought of that. It would good if Google recognized bike paths, hiking trails, etc.
Incidentally, I see a grey curve on some Google maps. I don't know what they represent but you can't drag a route onto it. For example, look at this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.650808,-73.760448&spn=0.001365,0.002977&z=18). What is that grey thing?
Whoa, interesting catch, but it looks like an underground pull off for the above structures. I just know that the local bike paths can't be seen. Adding bike paths would be awesome.
Incidentally, I see a grey curve on some Google maps. I don't know what they represent but you can't drag a route onto it. For example, look at this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.650808,-73.760448&spn=0.001365,0.002977&z=18). What is that grey thing?
Whoa, interesting catch, but it looks like an underground pull off for the above structures. I just know that the local bike paths can't be seen. Adding bike paths would be awesome.
GCG199
I signed the petition, even though my state already has State Bike Route maps. I think it is a good idea, but hopefully most states and regions will work on their own state bike route maps too.
I use the Google Earth program to see where the old abandoned rail lines are in my area. In the next few years, they will be converted to rail-trails.
I use the Google Earth program to see where the old abandoned rail lines are in my area. In the next few years, they will be converted to rail-trails.
mattotoole
I happily use Google's "avoid highways" and "minimum distance" features when planning a bicycle trip. Because I live in San Diego County, I have an additional very valuabe resource, SANDAG's countywide bicycle map, which denotes Class I, Class II, and Class III facilities.
Recommend bicycle routes are a great idea, but I am not sure whether creating a map or other guide is best done by local cycling groups, local government, or the folks in the Googleplex. Since Google claims to be an environmentally aware corporation, its management might actually welcome the opportunity to become involved in this effort.
This is trivial for Google if the information about the roads is available to begin with. Except for a few areas it isn't. Same thing with the "take transit" links -- only a few transportation authorities have compiled the data and made their databases available.
This is the job for local cyclists and their local governments -- classifying the roads and putting the info into databases. Locally we have Ride Solutions (http://www.ridesolutions.org) working on this.
Recommend bicycle routes are a great idea, but I am not sure whether creating a map or other guide is best done by local cycling groups, local government, or the folks in the Googleplex. Since Google claims to be an environmentally aware corporation, its management might actually welcome the opportunity to become involved in this effort.
This is trivial for Google if the information about the roads is available to begin with. Except for a few areas it isn't. Same thing with the "take transit" links -- only a few transportation authorities have compiled the data and made their databases available.
This is the job for local cyclists and their local governments -- classifying the roads and putting the info into databases. Locally we have Ride Solutions (http://www.ridesolutions.org) working on this.
genec
I thought some GPS software (magellean or tom tom maybe) had a built in "bike" feature? Maybe I'm crazy, but I could have sworn I saw something like that somewhere.
The one bad thing about using google's "avoid highways" function is that it doesn't highlight any bike trails or mup's.
I tried that once with google and was surprised to find out there was a mup right (obscured by trees) next to the fairly busy street I was biking down for a couple of miles.
Heck, use the satellite view and you might find tons of off road routes as I have found in local canyons... Google will never include those...
Otherwise I too use the "avoide hiways" choice.
The one bad thing about using google's "avoid highways" function is that it doesn't highlight any bike trails or mup's.
I tried that once with google and was surprised to find out there was a mup right (obscured by trees) next to the fairly busy street I was biking down for a couple of miles.
Heck, use the satellite view and you might find tons of off road routes as I have found in local canyons... Google will never include those...
Otherwise I too use the "avoide hiways" choice.
angle
The inclusion of a "bike there" option on Google Maps, if placed on equal footing with the other transportation options, will get the idea of transportational cycling in front of millions of people, most of whom are non-cyclists.
In many ways, this could be much more significant than the actual utility of the route-making feature.
In many ways, this could be much more significant than the actual utility of the route-making feature.
shmooth
The inclusion of a "bike there" option on Google Maps, if placed on equal footing with the other transportation options, will get the idea of transportational cycling in front of millions of people, most of whom are non-cyclists.
In many ways, this could be much more significant than the actual utility of the route-making feature.
you said it much better than i ever could have. :)
In many ways, this could be much more significant than the actual utility of the route-making feature.
you said it much better than i ever could have. :)
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