Cyclists love OpenStreetMap.org

OpenStreetMap allows people to map their community and show the things that are important to them. It is a collection of tools and data to collect information and create beautiful maps that you can use in creative and unexpected ways. There are more people contributing maps data to OpenStreetMap every week. In September of 2008 there were over 60,000 contributors world wide. Update: there are over 133,000 contributors as of 05 May 2009.

Many of those contributors are cyclists and are active in their communities. Why is that?

The default OpenStreetMap is a good general purpose map. Here is Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Contributors to OpenStreetMap wanted a specialty map for cyclists to emphasize bicycle lanes and paths. That cycle map can be selected from the menu under the "+" at the top right of the online map.

Your town may have cycle lanes and paths that are not yet included in OpenStreetMap. You can add that information and improve the cycle map in your town. And you can have a lot of fun while you do it.

You might even find that the cycle map can help support your efforts to get more bike lanes in your town, or to improve crossing safety at high traffic intersections.

The the online cycle map of the Twin Cities ( Minneapolis / St. Paul ) shows where OpenStreetMap contributor "7kgCar" has added the cycle route around Lake Harriet. The screen capture below was taken on 27 September 2008. Has the cycle map been improved since then?

Do you have a hand held GPS? Would you like to have the cycle map on your hand held device? You can! Well, you can as long as your GPS is able to accept OSM maps. Here is the cycle map on a Garmin. This photo is by Andy Allan, the creator of the cycle map.

Want to learn how to add to the cycle map in your town?
• Attend a local talk, mappers meeting or presentation. Many can be found on the current events calendar.
• Contact other local mappers through the regional mailing lists.
• Ask for help on IRC.
• Teach yourself with the wiki. This might be best for the really-determined. Everything you need is in the wiki but it can seem imposing at first glance.
• Contact me.