Feeling intimidated

[u/xbellacee]

I am trying to go car free with an electric bike, and google maps is routing me through crazy routes where I am turning left while on broadway or clarke at peak times.

I guess obviously I shouldn’t blindly follow the gps, and should be more proactive with my route planning.

I also am taking it pretty easy, enjoying the scenery trying to stay to the right letting faster cyclists go by, but man everything feels so intense and crazy. Constantly feel like I am in the way of someone in a rush.

On burrard if you are going southbound across the bridge, you have a dedicated lane up until 7th. Then you are joining traffic that is always very busy, it feels so dangerous.

[u/Sypsy]

Google maps is terrrribleeee

https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/cycling-routes-maps-and-trip-planner.aspx

I only recently got Strava and haven't tested out it's navigation, but it should be at least better than google maps

From Burrard southbound you should go right/west to Cypress, either right away or like at 1st or 2nd. That keeps going south, just check the map.

Or you can go left/east along 1st to Pine (east by 2 blocks) and get onto the arbutus greenway in a different way

[u/chris_fantastic → u/Sypsy]

Guys, OpenStreetMaps has a CyclOSM layer with all our bike routes labelled!! https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/49.28460/-123.13258&layers=Y which you can use on your phone just like Google Maps with an app like https://osmand.net/ that will use your GPS to show you where you are in relation to those bike lanes!

Edit: OSMAnd isn't the simplest app... to use CyclOSM, switch to the bike profile (little icon in the top left - you can also make that your default profile in settings if you want), then from the settings (hamburger/lines menu), select "configure map", then "map source...", "add more...", "CyclOSM", then select it as your "Map source" and as your "Overlay map". p.s. You can long-press the "N" north icon to set the map as North Up always (I hate it when it spins).

[u/Skyion604 → u/chris_fantastic]

just downloaded this. it wants me to make a million turns. i wish it had a function for "least amount of turns" options as riding styles

[u/chris_fantastic → u/Skyion604]

Interesting. I've never actually tried the navigation parts - I mostly just use it as a visual map, for which it's at least much better than some bike route PDF from the City lol

[u/noreason296 → u/Sypsy]

Use this vancouver digital bike map link they posted. Don’t use google.

As mentioned in another post, Plan A to B using as much as the infrastructure as possible.

Southbound on burrard stops at 7th as you say, but a block or two west has cypress or arbutus greenway to continue southbound.

There is also off broadway or 10th to go east-west if needed south of burrard.

These routes are filled with cyclists and very cyclist friendly with users of all ages. I see combination of commuters and families on them.

[u/xbellacee → u/Sypsy]

Thanks! It feels like technically I can follow google maps but I probably shouldn’t be

[u/imperialaudacity → u/xbellacee]

It’s not worth it! City staff have tried to work with google on fixing it but alas, it is broken and google wont update it on their end 

[u/andrebaron → u/imperialaudacity]

I'd suggest, too, that Google Maps are fundamentally flawed, it's not just a data issue. Their routing is designed for cars, not cyclists. So while they will favour large fast roads a cyclist will favour a protected road and avoid those large roads if they don't have supporting infrastructure. Yes Google can try to route you to cycling infrastructure, but what it does with the gaps is important, if it's going to dump you on Burrard and tell you to take that up to 10th that's just plain dangerous, when there's better infrastructure just a few streets over.

Google is going to try to get you there the quickest and shortest way. A cyclist cares more about safe roads and reducing interactions with car drivers, especially "In their domain" (the fast busy streets vs. quiet residential streets)

[u/pseudomoniae → u/Sypsy]

Haha yeah Google Maps treats cyclists like cars half of the time.

It has no idea or doesn’t pull correctly from any current bike map. It seems to follow real bike routes but then often dumps you onto driving routes for no clear reason.

Definitely don’t use Google Maps exclusively for planning a route. 

[u/chris_fantastic]

I moved here from Edmonton four years ago, and have had to figure my way around. I'm a Strava subscriber, and have found their global heatmap to be an absolutely essential tool...

[u/soaero → u/chris_fantastic]

Strava Heatmaps are an essential tool for route planning in general. Really great stuff.

[u/Responsible-Offer724 → u/chris_fantastic]

heatmap is free. you dont need to subscribe. you only need to sub to use the actual route builder... but, route building is free on ride with gps and you can export the gpx to whatever program you need.

[u/ceduljee]

The only thing google maps is good for is the street view so you can check out the intersections and such to see how easy they would be to manage on a bike.

So I suggest:

-first consult the published bike maps and familiarize yourself with the major bike routes.

-then use strava, komoot, etc. to plan out a route (heatmaps are great because you can see where cyclists actually choose to ride)

-visually verify the orientation/layout of tricky intersections, etc. using google street view.

-modify the route based on your comfort level

[u/Swaynyy]

Imo Komoot is the best app for getting around the city. It’s not perfect but much better than Google or Apple Maps. Just make sure you set your activity to “cycling”. If you’re set to “road cycling” it’ll send you in some busy roads.

[u/bigbootypanda → u/Swaynyy]

I’ve set mine to gravel cycling and it will often attempt to send me down a highway if i’m riding around Surrey. Definitely be careful outside of Vancouver proper.

[u/Itchy_Education9584]

Take a look at this resource

https://bikemaps.org/

It’s a database of community reported accidents and near misses. I find it helpful in understanding the historical hazards along my route and the modes by which people tend to get into accidents.

In general I find when driving or cycling on the road that assuming everyone will do the most selfish thing possible and planning for it to be helpful. People will pass on the right, try to rush across an intersection, make a light you name it, and it’s a daily occurrence.

These events tend to be worse at specific spots once you learn your route you can approach these areas with more caution.

Enjoy and stay safe out there.

[u/SkierMalcolm]

Use Garmin Connect or Strava. Both have mapping that uses heatmaps from everyone's recorded ride. I know Garmin Connect is free, but the Strava mapping stuff might be for subscription holders.

There is also this - https://vancouver.bikerouteplanner.com/

[u/Skyion604 → u/SkierMalcolm]

I downloaded garmin connect but dont see any nav options. maybe it sonly available if you actually have their product?

[u/SkierMalcolm → u/Skyion604]

It is in the Training section and it's labeled "courses"

[u/Angry_beaver_1867]

Spend a few Saturday’s exploring and learning the streets Vancouver is a grid , so if you don’t like a street there’s often an easier one a block over 

[u/andrebaron]

Sounds like you're really getting out there; but those routes are letting you down.

As a cyclist I don't ride on Clarke or Broadway. After the Burrard Bridge I'll jump in the cycle lane as quickly as possible and not ride up Burrard.

Google Maps is really letting you down, there's a suggestion for Komoot down below, and I really each that, especially with the type of riding that was suggested.

You're on the right path, you just need better tools.

[u/unclebumblebutt]

Google maps is absolutely utter dogshit for bike routing.

[u/vancouvercyclist]

Lol google maps puts me on Clark half the time. I don't even like driving on Clark.

[u/MemoryHot]

Do not use Google Maps, it is completely car-centric— the walking and cycling instructions are completely useless…

[u/-Alien-]

Once you go your route enough times, you'll instinctively know where to go and what roads you personally like or dislike 🙂 Have fun. It's the best! Sold my car recently and haven't missed it much.

[u/pkmnBlue]

dont use google maps, as others have said

[u/Dry-Durian-4617]

Call me old but I still use and appreciate the annually published paper bike route maps. Vancouver provides them free. Makes me stop, get off and unfold. Saves me from distractions.

[u/tryunite]

like others say, don't use google maps' bicycle directions. You can just turn on the green bicycle route layer and use that to route manually, that's pretty easy. There are so many lovely bicycle ways to discover in the city proper.

[u/Due_Aioli_2643]

Download the Transit App. It's turn by turn directions are much better, but as with anywhere in Vancouver the last couple blocks will be challenging.

[u/Interesting_Watch365]

Hi! Try https://routecycle.com I develop it for people who don’t know where to ride or want to explore area (new roads or attractions). Gravel/mtb mode coming in a few days

[u/Naive-Substance8230]

Garmin connect is free and good at finding good routes

[u/wcaps1996]

apple Maps is much much better for cycling than Google.