http://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=mapzen_bicycl...
I checked the request, the JS powering the OSM feature isn't sending the parameters so they are probably the 0.25 defaults there.
If you're familiar with Leaflet, it's also pretty easy to draw routes in mapzen.js and pass different parameters to the router -- check the bottom of that post.
https://github.com/openstreetmap/openstreetmap-website/blob/...
Will have to check out of the rest of the route vs what Google Maps has me doing now, though. I'm pretty happy with the current route but I'm new to this job so I've got a lot of route exploring to do.
In the case that it is, there could be some data error that breaks routing across it.
I am curious what sort of things you're searching for, and what you expect. Perhaps there's ways to fix it?
Remember, Google has considerably more money than OpenStreetMap.
The screenshots in the article would be more helpful if they were zoomed a little closer, at least enough to show all the street names being mentioned. A topo or shaded relief map would also help.
I'm glad people are working on this. The bike directions on Google maps aren't very good, IMO
I tried this out. My city is pretty notorious for having incomplete cycling infrastructure. i.e.) you get local areas that have cycle routes, but you often have to brave some craziness to get anywhere for real.
For my most common routes, it seems to be making the same choices as Google Maps. They definitely aren't the most optimal or comfortable choices, though I suspect this is at least partially a data problem. Steep grades, stairs, and difficult to find turns (more my city's fault that anything) are on the route, and it takes you though the straightforward but less safe connectors instead of detouring through neighbourhoods.
Perhaps one more tuning parameter is needed that would allow weighting stress vs distance?
I agree, but they are certainly better than nothing. There are so many times I have wished for a real-time, traffic sensitive routing feature on Google Maps when it comes to bikes.This usually happens around rush hour when I am pinned up against the shoulder trying to take the lane and being cursed and buzzed repeatedly.
I am also really glad people are working on this, it is really cool and so full of potential.