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I have really enjoyed Google Maps cycling directions but find it lacking a lot where I live. I really want to update the maps with new/better information but I don't know the what, how, or where.

  • What data can I submit to update Google Maps cycling data?
  • What format does the data need to be in to submit it to Google Maps?
  • Where do I submit this data? (i.e. url)
  • How is the data submitted?
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    Wow! That is so sweeet! I didn't know google gave bike directions. They are not in Canada yet, but really excited the feature is on the way. Commented Oct 16, 2010 at 12:45

3 Answers 3

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The easiest way to submit data is to right-click on the map and choose "Report a problem". This pops up a small form with a marker. You drag the marker where the problem is, and you pick a category and type something to explain the problem. In a few days, a human being reads it and (assuming he/she agrees) fixes it.

For instance, Google Maps would send bicycle routes near my house to a road with a killer hill. There's a reasonable alternate route that adds only about a quarter of a mile, but avoids the killer hill for a much more gentle hill. So I reported it.

In a few days I got an e-mail that said "Your Google Maps problem report has been reviewed, and you were right! We'll update the map soon and email you when you can see the change."

Sometimes you'll also get an e-mail afterwards that says "Google Maps has been updated to correct the problem you reported. You can see the update here, and if you still see a problem, please tell us more about the issue: (link)"

And now those same bicycle routes, by default, route along the gentle hill instead of the killer hill.

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  • Agree, and had similar experience with "Report a problem". For instance, reported that there's a path along a specific creek and they added that to their maps. Can sometimes take a long time, though.
    – freiheit
    Commented Oct 16, 2010 at 3:52
  • Thanks for the response. I'm looking for a way to do something like record a route and submit that. Do you know of anything like that?
    – Mike Grace
    Commented Oct 16, 2010 at 4:23
  • @Mike - I'm not sure about this, but it's possible that using ridewithgps.com might work as a resource. Basically on that site you can trace out a route and after you've finished editing, you can export the route as a kml file. I would guess that you could then submit the kml to google.
    – user313
    Commented Oct 16, 2010 at 5:43
  • @wdypdx22 That would be great! Where could I submit that kml file?
    – Mike Grace
    Commented Oct 16, 2010 at 17:06
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    My kingdom for a way to report route problems like this from the Android app! Commented Jul 12, 2019 at 18:38
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openstreetmap.org is a google map style map built from user supplied data.
You can upload GPS tracks and edit the existing map data to add cycle routes or tracks

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  • Thanks @Martin! openstreetmap.org is great but not exactly what I'm looking for.
    – Mike Grace
    Commented Oct 19, 2010 at 4:40
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If you want to submit large amounts of data, you might be able to do it using their Base Map Partner Program. I haven't tried this myself. See my answer to the question "Do I have to simply wait for google maps to add cycling directions to my area? Or can I help?".

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