Almost-Satnav For Cycling

An anonymous reader writes "A couple of guys (us) in Cambridge have written a cycle routing system, CycleStreets.net, based on open data, and have now released it as a free iPhone app. It's been done on a shoestring, in spare time. There's an API and some disruptive tech in the form of a photo submission screen where street problems can be submitted directly. Because it's open data, you don't have to wait 6 months for the routing to be fixed if there's a bug. Android and .mobi versions are in the works, with the apps being done on GitHub."

Comments

just a guy

[Anonymous Coward]

From my limited knowledge looking in to the works of Open Street Map it would be best for the cycle-tastic groups wanting to push their agenda to talk about the overall work of OSM and their usability.
I love open source. I hate a lot of faff. Tried using OSM tracker with OSM and tracking a trip from Sheffield to Exeter - basically crashed my Samsung Galaxy S... and that is the phone I was hoping would take me across Europe as a SatNav.

Usability is so important. Put you time and effort in to that - the "open data" is already there thanks to OSM.

Re:just a guy

[telchine]

Usability is so important. Put you time and effort in to that - the "open data" is already there thanks to OSM.

I just use a TomTom One with a decent bicycle mount. It's easy to use and with USB charging, I can easily power it with a standard battery to USB charger and it cost £100 (much less than an iPhone would have cost). Okay, it doesn't cover bridleways, but you can never be sure what the conditions are going to be like on bridleways. Muddy tracks suitable for horses aren't always suitable for a road bike.

Re:just a guy

[moonbender]

Well, if I had read on instead of posting in an early thread, I would have known that a) these guys are using OSM data (a fact sorely missing from the summary) and b) you actually CAN use OSM data with Garmin satnavs.

Real time updates

[geekoid]

you say? Submission by anyone you say? Finally I can get those self righteous morons in Portland to ride into the river.

Re:Real time updates

[JimWise]

I think much of it has to do with lessening chaffing, wearing a material that will let your sweat evaporate vs just absorb it, not as a fashion statement to try to catch the eyes of condescending people like you and your wife. Those who ride longer distances/more strenuous routes seem to think it is worth wearing even when having to put up with ribbing/heckling from people like you, so apparently the benefits are noticeable enough to make it worth their while to pay the extra expense of cycling gear (a T-shirt and shorts are quite a bit less expensive) along with wearing it out on a ride on public roads/paths.

Re:Real time updates

[topham]

That look of disgust on your wife's face is the realization that she could have done better.

Re:Real time updates

[fluffy99]

I think much of it has to do with lessening chaffing, wearing a material that will let your sweat evaporate vs just absorb it, not as a fashion statement

Bingo. That's why I wear bike shorts. Good sweat wicking without seams or folded fabric prevents crotch rot and chaffing. For really long rides (>60-miles), having the thin gel pad is really nice. Of course I'm reasonably fit and don't look too bad in them. I personally don't find the really heavy-set guys or girls in spandex t all that pleasant to look at. But on the positive side, they are out there exercising trying to improve themselves instead of being couch potatoes.

When I participate in a race and see a really large woman struggling to finish, I recognize that she probably put out more effort and guts than the guy who won the race in half the time.

Re:Real time updates

[piraat]

I just biked 35 KM to work, like i do every day. If i don't wear special clothes im all wet when i'm at work, and smelly. I understand most people (you) would take the car instead. However, i settle with some stupid looking clothes.

Re:Real time updates

[naich]

you say? Submission by anyone you say? Finally I can get those self righteous morons in Portland to ride into the river.

Good lord! How DARE they want to ride their bikes wearing clothes that are comfortable. They should be persecuted until they stop, or you feel better about yourself - whichever happens first.

Re:Real time updates

[Simon Brooke]

Bingo. That's why I wear bike shorts. Good sweat wicking without seams or folded fabric prevents crotch rot and chaffing. For really long rides (>60-miles), having the thin gel pad is really nice. Of course I'm reasonably fit and don't look too bad in them. I personally don't find the really heavy-set guys or girls in spandex t all that pleasant to look at. But on the positive side, they are out there exercising trying to improve themselves instead of being couch potatoes.

When I participate in a race and see a really large woman struggling to finish, I recognize that she probably put out more effort and guts than the guy who won the race in half the time.

One in every three Americans, one in every four British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian people are obese. English speaking people are the fattest, slobbiest, laziest people on the planet. The only non-English speaking country to make it into the top seven fattest countries is Mexico. So what if fat people in cycling shorts look fugly? OK, I agree, they do. But they are out there doing something about it, and next year they're going to look less ugly and be healthy, while you car-driving couch potatoes are just getting uglier and less healthy.

People don't wear lycra to show off or look good. Most people don't look good in lycra (Vicky Pendleton excepted, of course). People wear lycra because it's comfortable and practical. But hey, if you're content to waddle from your car to the burger joint until you're too fat to eat anywhere but a drive in, don't mind us. We're not complaining about how you look. Live and let live, after all... at least until you die of stroke or heart attack or diabetes from all that cholesterol and corn syrup.

Openfietskaart.nl

[hkz]

Congrats on Slashvertising your app. In Holland we've had www.openfietskaart.nl for a while already. There's also www.opencyclemap.org. Yes, open mapping is cool, no, this is not news.

Re:Openfietskaart.nl

[solevita]

There's also www.opencyclemap.org. Yes, open mapping is cool, no, this is not news.

OpenCycleMap tiles are used as part of this app; the news isn't maps for cyclists, it's a satnav app for cyclists that's interesting.

Re:Openfietskaart.nl

[shish]

Do those offer route planning at all, let alone taking things like hills or noise levels into account? I have actually been looking for a cycle route planner with those features, and this seems to be perfect, except for being (AFAICS) iphone only :(

Re:Openfietskaart.nl

[Nyh]

Even in the Netherlands we do not have a satnav app for cyclists on the iPhone. Route for cyclists can be done by the excellent 'fietsrouteplanner' planner from the Fietsersbond (http://www.fietsersbond.nl/fietsrouteplanner/fietsroutes-vandeurtotdeurplanner/index.html). This great planner has lots of options and biker profiles (like shortest route, avoid busy traffic, green route, social safe route, racing cyclist, etc.) but once you are cycling it is quite useless. The route is static, has no rerouting when you choose an other route due to roadworks or just because you felt so.

I immediately tried out this app but was a bit disappointed. I cannot plan a route from Harwich to Exeter, a route I have cycled multiple times to visit family in England.

Nyh

Re:Openfietskaart.nl

[xaxa]

There's a normal HTML version at http://www.cyclestreets.net/ , and an Android version is in progress.

Based on OpenStreetMap data

[solevita]

As one of the devs writes:

"CycleStreets has been made possible by the brilliant OpenStreetMap project, dubbed the 'Wikipedia of Maps'. Cyclists and others all around the UK collect and update street data that enables us then to create routing that thinks like a cyclist. Unlike traditional SatNav data, OpenStreetMap data is controlled by its user community. Anyone can get involved in OpenStreetMap, and over 300,000 people around the world are already doing so."

So if you want to help improve the application, and contribute to plenty of other worthy projects, you could think about checking out The Map in your area and seeing if there's anything you could contribute.

OSM on Garmin for cyclists

[ben_kelley]

With a suitable Garmin GPS (there are a number of models that do auto-routing that have bicycle mounts), you can load up an OSM based cycle map and get cycle routing that way. See http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Cycle_map

If you already own one of these, you'll probably find it is somewhat more water resistant than an iPhone.

UK? WTF?

[catmistake]

Hey... I thought it was clear that slashdot was an American based, American centric summary site. Ok, pretty cool I guess... if I get a new iPhone and find myself cycling in UK... with a mountain of money to pay for overseas roaming.

Re:Probably off topic, but I want to know!

[murph]

Check out RideTrac for Android. Works great for me.

Re:Probably off topic, but I want to know!

[samurphy21]

My Tracks will record your tracks, and I think allow you to import them into google maps. Google latitude, part of Google Maps, will allow those you tag as authorized to view your whereabouts, if you want people to find you when you're out on the road. Those are the two main apps I use for that kind of stuff.

Do you need to be able to view your phone in this holder, or do you just want it to be able to gather data while you bike? I use a frame bag and just tuck my phone in there, when I'm out.

If you really need this...

[sleeping143]

why not just buy a GPS device designed for motorcyclists? They've been around for a while, mount right to the handlebars, and have tons of rider-friendly features. Plus, you don't need a cellular data signal, which I'd think would be uncommon on roads where you'd honestly need GPS mapping. Of course, here I am assuming that this is something you need, and not something you just want for no good reason.

paging Doctor Freud

[tverbeek]

Real men aren't afraid of other men's penises.

Re:paging Doctor Freud

[tool462]

No, we are. That's why they must be contained in a shield of lycra and spandex. You know, lest they escape.

Re:alternatives do exist

[fluffy99]

Speaking of google, you do realize that Google Maps already has routing options based on whether you're walking, biking, or taking public transit? I'm not sure how good their maps are or their coverage areas though. They probably don't have an iPhone app either.