By JEREMY OLSHAN
June 16, 2008
A new Web site helps cyclists get from Point A to Point B - without getting killed.
Ridethecity.com gives turn-by-turn directions, steering cyclists clear of danger by favoring streets with bike lanes and routes that take advantage of parks and greenways.
Next to a helmet, a map may be the most important safety device for Big Apple cyclists, said Ride the City co-creator Jordan Anderson.
"The paper map will still be indispensable, but this will really help with the preplanning," said Anderson, 33.
Cyclists can ask for directions for the fastest or safest routes, and the site's suggestions will be updated with riders' input.
"For instance, let's say the route uses the Bowery, and users send in that the Bowery is a terrible way to go. In the future, it will suggest alternatives," Anderson said.
"One of the neat things that could come of this is that we are going to create a huge collection of data of where people are starting and finishing their trips on their bikes."
In addition to marking the nearest bike shops, the maps may one day include locations of bike racks.
