OpenStreetMap is great and I only wish more people using apps like Strava, RideWithGPS, Komoot or OSMAnd realized that they can contribute, benefitting everybody else using those apps.
In Toronto I only see a very small number of people contributing to OSM's cycling infrastructure, which results in the map not as up-to-date, which in turn means that the aforementioned apps will not propose routes through the nicest, most recently built bicycle tracks we have in the city. The situation is not terrible by any means, but it could be better.
If i'm using ridewithgps, how do I contribute? is there an easy tool, or maybe it's something these tools could integrate? I know I ride trails thatdon't always show up on OSM views.
The website has satellite images overlayed wirh map data, so it's easy to see what you are doing.
You can look at your pictures to remind yourself of what was missing.
If you have recorded your ride,you can also upload your GPX trace to OpenStreetMap to make it easier to trace features that don't show up clearly on satellite images.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Look around and start small. Good luck!
I think it's a good sign that OpenStreetMap has gotten so complete, at least in most USA cities, that we're starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel for things that can be added/edited. Water fountains?!?! Wow. I know that for every place where I've physically lived (and have local knowledge of the streets), OSM's roads are basically perfect, and there's no need anymore to edit them. Sometimes, I'll drive past a new suburban neighborhood being developed and they are spreading the asphalt for new streets, and I think to myself "AHA! Now is my chance to finally add a road to OSM!" I race back to my computer and lo and behold the new streets have already been added some time ago.
In Toronto I only see a very small number of people contributing to OSM's cycling infrastructure, which results in the map not as up-to-date, which in turn means that the aforementioned apps will not propose routes through the nicest, most recently built bicycle tracks we have in the city. The situation is not terrible by any means, but it could be better.