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New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

mapzen.com

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Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#11

Post by baldfat »

maxerickson wrote: post #5
novia wrote: post #3

If use_roads is set to zero, will this optimize for roads that include sidewalks?

Likely not as many (most?) sidewalks aren't officially open to bikes (Regardless of enforcement on the one hand and regardless of some people preferring to use them on the other).

I remember as a 12 year old a cop swore at me and told me he was going to take my bike if he saw me ride on the sidewalk again. So then 2 blocks later ANOTHER cop is swearing at me calling me crazy and going to drive me home for riding on the road when there was a sidewalk to ride on. I laughed and said the other one told me to get off the sidewalk. He called him and they got in an argument and hung up on him. I just rode my bike on the sidewalk.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#13

Post by maxerickson »

rwmj wrote: post #10
jschwartzi wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, this is a serious problem with Google Maps directions. They want to send cyclists down the fastest routes, which are usually the least safe routes. There's a route in Kent, WA that Google was recommending that was downhill on a 45 MPH two-lane street with no shoulder or dividers. Meanwhile, about a mile further south there was this safe, car-free route that wound through residential subdivisions.

Not just for cyclists. Around here Google Maps will find "shortcuts" through single track back country roads which are especially dangerous in winter by car or bike.

They will respond to feedback about such roads not being suitable for general traffic.

If you are in the US the data problem is likely an artifact of TIGER which has hundreds or thousands of miles of roads that are given a single generic class which ends up being pretty unreliable outside of developed areas.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#14

Post by pavel_lishin »

Spivak wrote: post #9
Facemelters wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing it will optimize for dedicated bike paths since you shouldn't be riding your bike on the sidewalk.

If we added bike lanes to sidewalks rather than roads I think it would solve a lot of the complaints motorists have.

But it wouldn't solve many of the complaints that bicyclists and pedestrians have.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#15

Post by futurix »

Spivak wrote: post #9
Facemelters wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing it will optimize for dedicated bike paths since you shouldn't be riding your bike on the sidewalk.

If we added bike lanes to sidewalks rather than roads I think it would solve a lot of the complaints motorists have.

And raise an even larger amount of complaints from pedestrians.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#16

Post by agumonkey »

boxcardavin wrote: post #12

Riding an ebike has dramatically changed the routes I take when commuting because I now prioritize safety and enjoyment over pure efficiency or avoiding inclines. My commute is 25 minutes on an ebike vs 70 on a regular bike, or 30 in a car in traffic.

Barely related but EV drivers also change their path. I don't have an EV (car or bike) don't really like driving in traffic (too chaotic for my brain) I often take smaller, slower roads where I just coast along smoothly. That said I wish I could try an ebike or even an EV.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#17

Post by ucaetano »

Spivak wrote: post #9
Facemelters wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing it will optimize for dedicated bike paths since you shouldn't be riding your bike on the sidewalk.

If we added bike lanes to sidewalks rather than roads I think it would solve a lot of the complaints motorists have.

That's done in Europe, where sidewalks are wide enough. Most sidewalks in the US aren't wide enough to include a bike lane.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#18

Post by rhinoceraptor »

Spivak wrote: post #9
Facemelters wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing it will optimize for dedicated bike paths since you shouldn't be riding your bike on the sidewalk.

If we added bike lanes to sidewalks rather than roads I think it would solve a lot of the complaints motorists have.

Riding a bike on the sidewalk (or a divided bike path) is actually pretty dangerous. Cars aren't expecting there to be 15-25 mph traffic when they pull in to driveways or make turns.

The most common type of bike accidents are cars failing to yield when turning or using driveways, and divided bike paths and sidewalks only make it worse.

I try to be super vigilant when crossing crosswalks and driveways when using the sidewalk, but pretty much all of the close calls I've had have been because I was riding moderately fast on the sidewalk.

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#19

Post by erentz »

boxcardavin wrote: post #12

Riding an ebike has dramatically changed the routes I take when commuting because I now prioritize safety and enjoyment over pure efficiency or avoiding inclines. My commute is 25 minutes on an ebike vs 70 on a regular bike, or 30 in a car in traffic.

Wow that's a big time difference. Why? Is it due to the extra speed the bike gives you or because you're not avoiding inclines...?

Re: New and improved bike routing, with low stress options

#20

Post by komali2 »

agumonkey wrote: post #16
boxcardavin wrote: post #12

Riding an ebike has dramatically changed the routes I take when commuting because I now prioritize safety and enjoyment over pure efficiency or avoiding inclines. My commute is 25 minutes on an ebike vs 70 on a regular bike, or 30 in a car in traffic.

Barely related but EV drivers also change their path. I don't have an EV (car or bike) don't really like driving in traffic (too chaotic for my brain) I often take smaller, slower roads where I just coast along smoothly. That said I wish I could try an ebike or even an EV.

Reminds me of how I had to take feeder roads and turn off the freeway during bad traffic when my shitty old toyota would overheat if I couldn't get good airflow into the radiator :P
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