BikeMaps Blog

Would you like to see more mapping on BikeMaps.org in your city or area? We have found that having a local BikeMaps “champion” on the ground really helps drive interest in the project. Here are some ideas to assist in spreading the word:

• Follow@BikeMapsTeam on Twitter link and retweet any tweets that pertain to issues, events, or ideas for your area. Tag local cycling advocacy groups or other possibly interested twitter followers when you retweet.

• Like us on Facebook and share or like our posts. link

• Print off BikeMaps flyers to put up in local businesses, such as bike stores and coffee shops. Flyers can also be placed in public spaces such as libraries, recreation centres, and on university/college bulletin boards. Contact us for flyers: info@bikemaps.org

• Ask local cycling groups if you can post a short article about BikeMaps.org on their website. (We have one available.)

• Do you have a connection in the local media? Give them a “tip” about BikeMaps.org and put them in touch with us.

• Hand out BikeMaps.org swag at community events or among friends and colleagues that bike. We are more than happy to send you a “care package”.

• Help us improve BikeMaps.org for your location by obtaining digital maps of cycling infrastructure (bike lanes, pathways, etc.). These are usually available from the municipality.

• Encourage interested people or groups to get in touch, particularly if they have any questions: info@bikemaps.org

• Let us know about any specific bike issues in your area that might benefit from more BikeMaps.org data.

• Suggestions for local funding sources are always welcome and could lead to increased promotion and research projects specific to your area.

We are always interested in feedback. What worked well and what fell flat in your promotion efforts? How can we further improve BikeMaps.org?

We are very happy to announce that the iOS App for BikeMaps.org is now available. To download the free app, go to the App Store and search "BikeMaps.org". Thanks for your continued support, BikeMappers. We are gathering loads of useful data, now in many different municipalities.

The BikeMaps.org team is excited to announce that the mobile app for Android devices is now available on Google Play. The easiest way to download the app is to launch the Play Store app directly on your Android device, perform a search for "BikeMaps.org" (make sure to include the .org), select the BikeMaps.org app from the search results, and install. Alternatively, if you have your phone or mobile device linked with your Google account, you can use your computer to browse to the BikeMaps app listing on Google Play , log in, and install the app. Watch for the iOS version, which should be available in July.

We love riding the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, but there are a few trouble spots. Citizens mapping to BikeMaps.org have highlighted the four worst intersections:

1. Hwy 1 & McKenzie Ave
2. Galloping Goose & Harriet Rd
3. Galloping Goose & Dupplin Rd
4. McKenzie Ave & Borden St

The most problematic locations are where the trail intersects with vehicle traffic, but on the two maps below you can see several areas where issues are occurring between cyclists or with other trail users. The BikeMaps.org research team from UVic has launched a study of safety along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. You can help! Add your own data on crashes, near misses, and hazards at BikeMaps.org.

Want to know what citizens have been mapping in riding area or city? By creating a BikeMaps.org login and defining an alert area you can track reports in areas that interest you.

How?

1. Register as a user or login - see the upper right corner of the website.
2. Use the tool to define an area of interest to you.
3. Click the tool (near the login) to see what has been mapped in the last week.