I’ve been noodling on a way to collect better data to map out bike routes and visualize the unofficial connections between designated bike paths. Kind of like what Mexico City did to map their unofficial public transit system (see Mapatón / Gabriella Gómez-Mont), except it would have to be usable while cycling.
Perhaps a GPS device attached to handlebars, with a button that the cyclist presses if they notice an issue - i.e. bike path ends suddenly, feels unsafe, lack of signage, poorly lit. Over time we’d get a sort of heat map that could inform a cycling master plan and future upgrades/investment.
Could also do a more passive version using phones for the location data, but I like the nuance of being able to see not only where the paths are but how the paths feel.
It is such a pain to try to find routes to places I’ve never been to. There needs to be a simple, preferably free, app that lets you navigate much the way google maps lets you do that for driving.
Agreed! And I need better signate ON the bike pathway itself to know where I am and where I should go. I second guess myself (and guess wrong) a lot. Adds to the time it takes me to get places...
I love the Bike Ottawa maps, but they could be more mobile-friendly and it would be great to have Gatineau incorporated! And to your first point, there needs to be more communication about newly completed projects including how they connect to destinations and the network as a whole.
I’ve been noodling on a way to collect better data to map out bike routes and visualize the unofficial connections between designated bike paths. Kind of like what Mexico City did to map their unofficial public transit system (see Mapatón / Gabriella Gómez-Mont), except it would have to be usable while cycling.
Perhaps a GPS device attached to handlebars, with a button that the cyclist presses if they notice an issue - i.e. bike path ends suddenly, feels unsafe, lack of signage, poorly lit. Over time we’d get a sort of heat map that could inform a cycling master plan and future upgrades/investment.
Could also do a more passive version using phones for the location data, but I like the nuance of being able to see not only where the paths are but how the paths feel.
It is such a pain to try to find routes to places I’ve never been to. There needs to be a simple, preferably free, app that lets you navigate much the way google maps lets you do that for driving.
Agreed! And I need better signate ON the bike pathway itself to know where I am and where I should go. I second guess myself (and guess wrong) a lot. Adds to the time it takes me to get places...
I love the Bike Ottawa maps, but they could be more mobile-friendly and it would be great to have Gatineau incorporated! And to your first point, there needs to be more communication about newly completed projects including how they connect to destinations and the network as a whole.