PT readers have suggestions for mapping apps and sites that better document running and cycling routes. Tobin Copley submits this one – raceshape.com – using the Strava API for cycling:
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Also useful for revealing the mountain-bike trails on North Shore mountains:
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canadianveggie compiled maps of the most popular crowdsourced routes using Strava data – for running:
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And cycling:
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Chris Kay links to Anthony Smith, a creative local mapmaker who compiled all his running routes by GPS over the course of a year:
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Anthony’s methods and commentary are on his blog Healthy City Maps – worth exploring.
The heat maps are more recreation orientated and probably miss a lot of the short trips and daily commutes unfortunately. The heavier use on routes in South Surrey and White Rock, mountain bike trails of the North Shore and the Sea to Sky Highway show that the users are mostly using the app for recreation rides, naturally of course. So not a true picture unfortunately.
Absolutely. Strava is geared toward competitive cyclists and runners. Some people do log their commutes, and I have tried in the past, but it’s just not worth syncing to GPS for trips less than 20 minutes.
” it’s just not worth syncing to GPS for trips less than 20 minutes.” – crazy talk 🙂 these are exactly the routes that we should be commuting. I don’t care about racing or commuting more than 20 minutes since i never do that #ymmv
here are my commutes from 2007-2011:
lolz ok here are my commutes since html is not allowed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roland/8025486351
and here is my map of Vancouver commuters on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roland/9316971799/
GPS acquisition when I use Strava or Runkeeper takes all of, well, I don’t know – it just works, basically instantly. I open the app and by the time I get around to hitting the log button it says “good GPS”.
Thanks for endorsing HealthyCityMaps.blogspot.com – I really appreciate your support! I particularly enjoyed this overview of how to separate data on running and cycling, I use Strava often but did not know about that visualization option in route builder. I also really like the raceshape.com maps as a tool to survey the recreational activity patterns around Vancouver. I recently included these data right at the start of a presentation on active transportation I delivered to the City of Squamish Council Committee on Transportation. Their city also has an impressive trail network but they do need more urban commuting infrastructure in the downtown area for commuters. My full presentation was recorded and is here if anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGduCdy0SE&list=UUAN_RZB2jbERhAUnkr6BeeA