A few weeks ago, I had an idea to build a website where cyclists could add in their favorite routes. I thought that if a bunch of people entered the way they ride to work, the rides they do for fun or the rides they do with their families we could build a great database of places to ride. This would encourage more people to ride as you'd be able to search for a ride that suited your abilities, and be able to look up routes near you.

I was going to make this text based, due to the lack of a free mapping provider in Australia.

On Friday, I found out from Leisa that Google Maps had launched Australian map data. This of course, set my curious little mind into overdrive and I did a big re-think about building the site. I didn't get a lot of time to spend on it over the weekend, but I did look at the API and start playing with plotting a route on a map with a view to getting a site up soon.

I was beaten to it.

Bikely.com was announced last night on the aus.bicycles newsgroup and seems to have the same goals as mine, so I'm going to down tools and see how it goes. It's a first release, so there may be a few bugs and the UI can be a little confusing

If you're a cyclist, you should head over there now and put in your commute of favorite ride. Any feedback can be posted via the newsgroup or hold on until a contact link goes up.

This has the potential to be a really useful asset if enough people get on board, add routes and promote it. This is the sort of thing that could be the trigger for someone contemplating riding a bike to work, removing the obstacle of "I don't know which way to go" could be enough. We spend a lot of time complaining about cars and roads, it's great to see such a positive action.

Spread the word!