The Cape Town Bicycle Map, in print since 2011, is now available online – in both website and smart phone editions (Android, IOS and Windows mobile).
The first version of the online map includes all the information presented on the print map as well as additional functionality, such as pan and zoom, bookmarks, search, and pop-up information boxes (click on an icon and photographs and other information is displayed). For example, want to know if the bicycle parking at your destination is of the ‘wheel-bender’ variety? Click on a ‘bicycle parking’ icon and see a photograph… Additional content will be added regularly.
The Cape Town Bicycle Map was developed to highlight cycling infrastructure and connecting routes to encourage more people to cycle, says Gail Jennings, sustainable mobility specialist and publisher of the Bicycle Map series. ‘We have identified a network of safer, connected routes (recommended by people who cycle regularly on our roads), located bicycle infrastructure, parking, and bicycle-friendly venues, and included information about cyclists’ rights, responsibilities and signage.’
The online map covers Cape Town CBD, the South Peninsula and West Coast. The Northern and Eastern suburbs will be added soon. Maps also include locations of mountain biking trails and touring routes.
Future phases will include routing, provide a platform for users to add to data, and will integrate with new online spatial content as it becomes available.
Already the online map has proved a useful ‘advocacy mapping’ tool, with users sending information and photographs of potential routes and maintenance challenges, for inclusion in the online map as a mechanism for dialogue with the relevant authorities.
The Cape Town Bicycle Map online uses the ESRI (ArcGIS) platform – one of the many advantages of working with ArcGIS rather than open source software is that the online map ‘looks’ just like the print map. In addition, users are able to select from a variety of basemaps – for example imagery, streets or greyscale.
A ‘liveable’, bicycle- and people-friendly city benefits everyone, says Jennings. ‘Streets are safer & more vibrant; traffic congestion & pollution and travel costs are reduced; tourism and the ‘green’ conferencing trade improve; and international investment & global competitiveness are increased.’
‘We believe that going by bike is one of the ways in which we’ll get the streets and cities we want: safe, shared, inclusive and liveable.’
The Cape Town Bicycle Map team validates data through site visits, and the map therefore only includes current bicycle facilities. Once proposed bicycle infrastructure is installed, it will be included on the map. The team welcomes input from users.
Visit the online map: http://capetownbicyclemap.co.za/online-map/
The print edition of the Cape Town Bicycle Map is stocked at key bookshops, information centres, Pedal Power head office and events, bicycle shops and bicycle-friendly venues throughout Cape Town.
Maps are full colour, folded, large format (A1).
A full list of stockists is available at http://capetownbicyclemap.co.za/find-a-map/.
Thanks to our sponsors, Specialized SA, Levi Strauss Commuter, Woolworths Good Business Journey, Cape Town Partnership, MapStudio, ESRI-SA and the Pedal Power Association, the print edition of the 2013 Cape Town Bicycle Map is available free.
The Cape Town Bicycle Map is published by Gail Jennings, a sustainable and non-motorised transport specialist. Other publications include the Winelands Bicycle Map, and the forthcoming commuter map of Johannesburg, in partnership with the Johannesburg Urban Cyclists Association (JUCA).
