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Almost-Satnav For Cycling

Posted by timothy on from the putting-you-in-the-saddle-since-2010 dept.

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."

7 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Real time updates by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:Real time updates by JimWise · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

    2. Re:Real time updates by topham · · Score: 4, Funny

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

  2. Openfietskaart.nl by hkz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:Openfietskaart.nl by solevita · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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.

  3. Based on OpenStreetMap data by solevita · · Score: 4, Informative
    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.

  4. OSM on Garmin for cyclists by ben_kelley · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.