We gave a talk at the State of the Map 2019 conference, the main annual meeting for OpenStreetMap, whose data we use for our cycle routing. Our talk was entitled “Is the OSM data model creaking?”. A video of the talk is now online: Here are the slides from the talk: Is the OSM […]
Turn cost factors – for safer and less wiggly routes
Urban cycle routes can often be very circuitous because they have to work around one-way systems, tunnel under major roads, use paths across parks and short links connecting residential areas. For many years now, CycleStreets has included the cost of making each turn in the overall process of choosing a practical cycle route. The model […]
What do you call a path alongside a road?
Cycle routes very often use un-named paths. These create a headache for anyone who tries to give directions to a cyclist: “take the cycleway alonsidge this road, at a junction with two other paths turn right under the bridge, then go down a snicket on the left …” It’s a key issue for us trying […]
How far would you ride to avoid a busy right turn?
The graphic shows work in progress to improve the quality of CycleStreets routes by taking into account the cost of making a turn. This is part of routing enhancement work being undertaken by Codex Cambridge with us as part of the Technology Strategy Board Innovation Vouchers scheme. The upper frame shows three routes for a […]
Routing developer needed for short-term work
We’ve obtained a £5,000 grant from the Technology Strategy Board’s Innovation Vouchers scheme, to work on some interesting routing challenges to help increase the quality of the routing we can offer. Our core aim with CycleStreets is to create “routing that thinks like a cyclist”. One of these aspects is the way that cyclists treat […]
England Cycling Data project
The England Cycling Data project aims to incorporate open data on cycling infrastructure released by the UK’s Department for Transport into OpenStreetMap. We’ve started taking account of a greater range of information about cycle routes in OpenStreetMap (the project from which our routing is created). In particular, taking account of surface quality, barriers, traffic calming, and lighting […]
Estimating elevation inside tunnels
CycleStreets has been using elevation data for several years to help avoid un-necessary hills in planned routes. The elevations we use are interpolated from open data surveys that provide an estimate of the height of the ground above sea level. The results of the processing can be seen in the elevation profile of every route planned […]
Taking CycleStreets cycle routing another step further: surface quality, barriers, traffic calming, lighting
We’re pleased to announce a series of upgrades to the routing that have been rolled out in the last few months. We’ve extended the range of OpenStreetMap tags that the CycleStreets routing engine uses to find cycle routes. This has helped us improve the quality of the suggested bike routes in two main ways: by […]
Cycle journey planning in Scotland
Over the last year we’ve been pleased to work with Cycling Scotland on a range of projects, now all completed and outlined below. These projects, which have been achieved thanks to Cycling Scotland’s grant and funding of £22k, will help improve improve CycleStreets, to help people find their way and consider cycling as a practical option […]
OpenStreetMap community mapping guide – for Cycling Scotland
We’re pleased to announce the availability of a new brochure that we’ve done for Cycling Scotland, aimed at motivating people to get mapping for OpenStreetMap. Cycle mapping for cycle routing with OpenStreetMap – the new community mapping guide – explains how you can get involved. Cycling Scotland is the national cycle promotion organisation for Scotland, working to […]