Cyclists help Google make better maps

You can make the changes yourself, once you get your head around the interface. Just click the "edit in mapmaker" link and off you go.

Annoyingly though, some of the changes I've made have been reverted or rendered completely incorrect, usually by people thousands of miles away with no understanding of local roads whatsoever.

Considering how often I use Google services, I've no problem helping them with their maps. Adding missing trails and public rights of way is extremely useful for when I'm out cycling/running and not sure which way might work.

I doesn't matter whether you contribute to Google or Open Source. In my experience when you need correct data they are both found wanting.

For instance when I am on my 700x 23s I cannot use a canal towpath. However every application Garmin, Plotaroute, RideWithGPS etc.. always send me down the local towpath. v annoying. I update the map base on Open Source to something more applicable but it made no difference when I choose only 'paved' routes. I talked to the guys a Plotaroute (very good BTW) and it seems that the APIs they have to work with can't differentiate between the different categories of surface. So paved / unpaved selection in Plotaroute could not give me the result that I think myself and other road cyclists would need. Shame

Whilst both Google bike routing and Open Cycle Maps/Cycle Streets are good one thing both lack is the ability to tell the system if your on a road bike or not. The problem with Cycle Streets is that it can send you down NCR routes which are quite often off road. Not good for your precious road bike.

I've reported navigation mistakes to Google Maps in America, but they only send me an update to say it has been recorded. I have yet to see any of those updates that cause any permanent changes. For me, the basic problem on the Google bike navigation has been roads shown that don't exist. They will often show a route on pipeline access or electrical tower access greenways. These aren't usually accessible ( or legal? ) for the general public, so not even rideable for a mountain bike.

Can we remove the Americanism 'biking'? It's lazy for cycling or riding, and I'm yet to see it in a dictionary. Bike should remain firmly in the noun camp, as should shop. I am sadly unable to 'shop a range', just as I may not 'bike to the shops'.

If you want to contribute to mapping I'd suggest Open Street Map (and its Open Cycle Map sub project). That way everyone benefits from being able to use the data, not just a multinational advertising giant.

I can confirm that they're pretty quick on changing stuff. They had a path near me marked as inaccessible to cyclists which they quickly remedied once I told them otherwise. That one fix would save someone from the surrounding streets a somewhat lengthy 5 mile diversion!

Fanatical cyclists? Who'd have thunk it?