Sunday, March 16

A colloborative map of bike commuting routes


Inspired by BWAMs trip reports and the Boston Bike Map, I've set up a simple Google map for anyone to log their favorite bicycle commuting routes in Missoula. Since cyclists do not always use the standard feeder patterns that cars use, this could be a helpful way to share ideas about the easiest ways to get around town. Who knows? Maybe the local government would find this sort of information helpful for transportation planning.

Here's the map.

How to add your route: (10 minutes)

1. Follow the above link to the map and click on "Sign in" on the upper right of the Google page. You may have to sign out first, if you are logged on with another Google account.

2. Enter the following:

email: missoularoutes
password: routepass

Click on "sign in"

3. Once you have signed in, click on the "edit" button on the frame to the left of the map. A set of tools should pop up in the upper left-hand corner of the map.

4. Click on the line-making tool. Select the starting point of your route and click once to begin drawing. [update: the click has to be very "quick." Holding the mouse down at all drags the map]. Click once for each turn you want the line to make, and when the route is complete double-click to end the line.

5. A dialog box will appear. Now you can name the route and write some annotations if you wish. Choose a color for the route that will distinguish yours from others on the map.

6. Once you are finished, just press on the "save" button in the left frame. That's it. You're done.

3 comments:

wild chicken said...

I couldn't get it to work. When I clicked on the line making tool and tried the draw the line, the map would move all over like it was still in grab mode.

Missoula said...

After playing around with it a little, I think I know what the problem is. You have to make a quick click to start the line. If you hold down the mouse at all it will go back to drag mode.

I had the same problem at first too. Thanks Carol. I'll update the post with that information.

wild chicken said...

Ok I'll try that, thanks..