Call: Capture your trail knowledge in OpenStreetMap

Logo OpenStreetMap (OSM)

By now, every outdoor sports enthusiast knows OpenStreetMap, usually without realizing it. OpenStreetMap is the basis of almost all digital maps today and is a so-called open data project. In other words: Anyone can update the data. This means that everyone who uses the maps from Komoot, Outdooractive, Trailforks, OpenCycleMap or the Singletrail Map benefits.

The whole thing works as follows: Almost all major trail platforms obtain the data from OpenStreetMap and use it to calculate their own topo maps. The basis is always the same. This is also the case with the Singletrail Map. In this case, the maps are additionally supplemented by Swisstopo's rock hatching.

Many stored MTB data

Mountain biking is an important segment for OpenStreetMap. This is why, for example, the MTB difficulty level can also be stored for all trails. The basis is the well-known single trail scale from S0 to S6. Thousands of trails in Europe alone are currently rated in this way. This data was in turn used to calculate a separate level in the Singletrail Map web map, which can be activated separately and throughout Europe. Other platforms such as OpenCycleMap also use this MTB-specific data for map preparation.

The highlight of OpenStreetMap is the free editing function. Anyone can register on the easy-to-use administration platform and add to or correct the data. Meanwhile, eight million users worldwide do this and ensure that the map data becomes even more accurate every day. This is based on the Opendata principle, which allows everyone to contribute to improving the maps. This includes improving the base map of the Singletrail Map.

How the Map update works

The primary requirement for editing OpenStreetMap is a recorded GPS track. This is imported from the OpenStreetMap website and used to supplement or correct the existing data, which consists of points, lines or areas. This geometry data has additional information that can be stored. The database is also interesting for bike stores. In addition to the address, other information such as opening hours can also be added. This data is also used by many platforms, albeit usually in the background.

Access to OpenStreetMap is free and anyone can edit the data. As a rule, the editor on the OSM platform is used: openstreetmap.org

Ride uses this opportunity to encourage its readers to actively participate in OpenStreetMap and make their knowledge available to other mountain bikers. Be it with newly recorded trails (for the later creation of GPX tracks) or by adding to the level of difficulty.

https://www.ride.ch/de/news/aufruf-erfasst-euer-trail-wissen-in-openstreetmap

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