Originally Posted by
njkayaker
It's a defect to follow any map blindly regardless of preferences and needs.
Part of the problem is that people assume their experience with using maps for driving translates into using maps for cycling. That isn't quite true (I listed some of the reasons in another post above).
Also, quite a few people have an idea that maps are perfect.
I'm going to assume that you know what you are doing. I'm talking about people that might need more help.
Of course, but that requires having good data too. You also don't always have the option to plan routes "more carefully".
Locally, I've seen (in OSM) a road that was classified as "cycleable" that wasn't and a road that is an important cycle route classified as "not cycleable".
Agreed!
In Iceland, there's a comprehensive cycling map that dictates the conditions expected for every road. Number of cars, gradient, road condition, etc. All keyed out - for literally every road in the entire country.
In the United States, our development density, population density, and total area are several orders of magnitude higher. The fact that Google Maps accomplishes as much as it does is a small miracle. The fact that the cycling option even exists astounds me from a logistics perspective. I don't think we have the manpower to properly update every road as might be ideal.
But, consider the following:
1. People did fine without any digital mapping for decades. Even a complete cycling luddite can just turn around if a road is unsafe. Nobody is perilously careening down riverbeds thinking "Google said this would turn out fine!"
2. Because of the vast spectrum of preferences among cyclists, a crowdsourced update feature in google bike maps may make things worse, not better.
3. Google is unlikely to send out a guy with a StreetView camera/backpack out on all of your local dirt paths and abandoned roads. Those, you'll just have to explore for yourself. Many local organizations create cycling maps of their backyard; a cursory knowledge of Google Earth can help you get to making the same. I've done some cycling map work in GIS before, too, if you have access to it through a local university.