How to Use Google Maps

Using Google Maps

Below are some notes on how to create a google map of cycle hotspots in your area. It's an easy and effective way of gathering data from many cyclists, and can be a useful resource when talking to your council about what's needed for cycling in your town.

 

Getting Started

If you don't have one already, create a gmail account. Go to the link below and follow the instructions http://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

Then, to get into google maps, go to this website address: http://maps.google.com/maps

At very top right click on Sign In

Enter email address, password and click Sign In

Under the Google Maps logo are two tabs Get Directions and My Maps

click on My Maps

About halfway down are two boxes Create new map and Browse the directory

Click on Create new map

Enter a Title and Description

Choose the privacy setting Public or Unlisted. If you choose Unlisted you can still share the map with as many people as you choose, it just won't show up as a listing if someone searches for your map.

Click Save

Go onto the map and move it around until you have NZ in view

Click on the bar on the left to zoom in step by step, adjusting the centring of the map as you go

At top right you will see you have three options for the view of your maps: map, satellite and terrain. Each will probably be available to different degrees of zoom.

The satellite view can be good for pinpointing the exact location you are looking for.

Putting a placemarker

1. click on the placemarker icon

2. click on the map in the relevant place

3. to choose a diffent colour/shape marker click on the image of the placemarker in the box and change

4. add a title and description

5. When you're finished press ok

You can choose a system for colouring your placemarkers, for example red - danger, dark blue - caution, light blue - advisory, green/green bike – cycle friendly, spanner – bike shop, cup – cafe.

Putting a line

1. click on the line icon

2. click on the map move the cursor and click again

3. to choose different line colour/width/ opacity click on the image of the line in the box and change

4. add a title and description

5. when you're finished press ok

Press Save

When finished press Done

To let others add to your map

1. put the map to the level of zoom you want people to see it at

2. click Collaborate

3. Add people's email addresses and a message (when you click on these boxes the cursor doens't appear so it looks like you can't enter anything but just start typing)

4. Choose who is allowed to add to the map (options from most private to least are: just you, just the people you choose as collaborators, your collaborators and anyone they invite, or anyone)

5. If you want to show people the map but don't want them to be able to edit it then copy and paste the link into an email rather than use the collaborate button.

6. If you wish, post a link on a busy cycling website like Vorb www.vorb.org.nz as this can bring input from many other cyclists.

To edit an already created map

Click the Edit button then begin adding your placemarkers.

Example of a good map

Here is a link to a good example of a map created through input from many different Wellington cyclists. And below is the description they use to explain what the map is for and how best to add content.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106796145084961333415.00045051b574a80432b8e&ll=-41.256904,174.825096&spn=0.197186,0.231056&z=12

Black Spots for Cycling in Wellington

An initiative of Cycle Aware Wellington, in collaboration with the public.

In order to better inform our submissions to the local councils, CAW is compiling a map showing the places where the road design is likely to induce an accident sooner or later. We would like to use the wisdom of the crowds (your wisdom!) to compile this map.

Please give a meaningful description (e.g.: "Cambridge Terrace - Approaching the Basin") and a description telling others why this is a blackspot. If you can, please add a link to pictures, stories, and other information. Also please add lines to illustrate problems stretching along roads.

Please use red markers only for higher risk situations.

Feel free to add comments to existing blackspots, and continue to visit and add spots as you see fit.

When placing a new marker, please zoom in as far as possible for accuracy. Use the satellite image rather than the map as you can often see individual lanes.
Thank you.