CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: The worst map in the world

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: The worst map in the world http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: The worst map in the world en Tue, 19 May 2026 06:42:35 +0000 Frenchy on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-351052 Thu, 27 May 2021 09:45:27 +0000 Frenchy 351052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ oddly, the bike station's not much lamented inner tube map website now connects to Fopp ? <a href="https://www.fopp.com" rel="nofollow">https://www.fopp.com</a> A website that itself doesn't seem to have been updated much in the last couple of years. One of the "latest reviews" is for a J Mascis album which was released in 2018. Although I completely missed that at the time, so this was at least useful to me! SRD on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-351048 Thu, 27 May 2021 09:11:33 +0000 SRD 351048@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ oddly, the bike station's not much lamented inner tube map website now connects to Fopp ? <a href="https://www.fopp.com" rel="nofollow">https://www.fopp.com</a> kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233745 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 19:46:35 +0000 kaputnik 233745@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I still take a pocket A-Z to London when I go, find it much more useful and responsive than a phone app. Klaxon on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233741 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:52:09 +0000 Klaxon 233741@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Rail maps seem always to be a little weird as nobody can decide whether they should be geographical, schematic, include or exclude freight lines, how many lines actually exist on a given stretch, what stations are important enough. Spotting a good map is easy. Actually drawing one is bloody hard. ih on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233740 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:40:29 +0000 ih 233740@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ " I'm sure the London tube map only works because people give addresses by reference to tube stops." To navigate your way round London you universally find out where the nearest tube station or overground rail station is. You then do your A to B thing using the tube and rail map which is superbly designed for its job. On arrival, for final navigation to your destination, back in the day, you get out your A to Z which everyone carried with them. Nowadays I'm sure there are more online apps for this bit but I still use the old-fashioned way if I need it. The problem with the Edinburgh Innertube map is that you just don't navigate round Edinburgh like that especially on a bike. The names on the map are pretty meaningless and give you no idea if you're near where you want to be. You also need another map to get to your destination. Then there's the missing bits between "lines". How do you get from one line to the other? I respect any effort to help Edinburgh cycling, but honestly, there's no point in taking the Innertube map any further. The best paper tool, is the Spokes map, excellent detail, and cheap. It's all you need. crowriver on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233739 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:35:13 +0000 crowriver 233739@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Some recent Scotrail maps are starting to get really strange: <img src="http://www.rail.co.uk/images/6845/original/6-Abellio_scotrail_map-page-001.jpg"> crowriver on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233738 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:28:23 +0000 crowriver 233738@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ This is a better map, which while slightly schematised/simplified is still true to the actual geography. <img src="http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Img/47237/0030660.jpg"> (Source: <a href="http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2004/04/19170/35329">National Planning Framework for Scotland</a>) kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233737 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:15:47 +0000 kaputnik 233737@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Can't quite decide which of the Scotrail map or the SNH map is the most ugly affront to cartography. Ed1 on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233734 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 17:50:44 +0000 Ed1 233734@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I printed mine as my first map of Edinburgh paths found it not so good, now that know the routes think it’s a good map if you already know the route chdot on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233733 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 17:50:08 +0000 chdot 233733@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ This map might be more useful - <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/ScotRail/status/786165508181753856" rel="nofollow">https://mobile.twitter.com/ScotRail/status/786165508181753856</a> I were right about that saddle on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233732 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 17:46:57 +0000 I were right about that saddle 233732@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ It's a path on a pink hill, but is it the Pinkhill path? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzhlDnTv0pc&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzhlDnTv0pc&feature=youtu.be</a> Klaxon on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233724 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:46:21 +0000 Klaxon 233724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Half the map's problems come in trying to forget the existing path names and he other half from the fact they just don't link together in real life either. It's a nice proof of concept project that I hope can be revived properly in a few years once Meadows - Canal, Canal - Roseburn and Roseburn - City - Leith are finished. Then it'll have some value. kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233722 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:34:05 +0000 kaputnik 233722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ My problem with the Inner Tube map has been that I can't navigate by it. None of the place names mean anything to me. I think one of the early intentions of the Innertube was to assign each "route" a colour, and refer to them as the "blue line", "red line" etc. I believe there was even funding in place for signage to match? (Or maybe it was just funding to explore as an option). It was met with quiet derision as a not-to helpful branding exercise (Well, by me and a few others at least) as things like "Roseburn path" seem far more useful for navigation and placefinding than the "green line" or something like that. chdot on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233721 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:32:23 +0000 chdot 233721@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="https://www.railscot.co.uk/locationnew.php?loc=Pinkhill" rel="nofollow">https://www.railscot.co.uk/locationnew.php?loc=Pinkhill</a> I were right about that saddle on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233720 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:21:54 +0000 I were right about that saddle 233720@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ None of the place names mean anything to me. I once asked Lothian Buses why they didn't put comprehensible names on the services instead of Clovenstone and Hyvots Bank and Greendykes. I live here and I've literally no idea where Clovenstone is and only a vague idea of the other two. What hope does a tourist have? Turned out they have to put the terminus by law. Same goes for the names of bits of the NEPN. I'm still not sure that Pinkhill isn't some obscure in-joke. dougal on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233719 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:06:04 +0000 dougal 233719@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ My problem with the Inner Tube map has been that I can't navigate by it. None of the place names mean anything to me. I travel the roads and see the landmarks of station, castle, meadows, parliament etc. It's the same travelling by bus of course. Who among you hasn't helped a tourist get to the major landmarks because bus routes don't say things as obvious as "Princes Street"? "Yes, these stops on Frederick Street, Hanover Street, etc are all actually Princes Street stops." I'm sure the London tube map only works because people give addresses by reference to tube stops. Arellcat on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233718 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:45:34 +0000 Arellcat 233718@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "In my opinion the Inner Tube map is well conceived because it restricts its information to routes that you can follow more or less without having to think. It's like coming off a motorway and navigating through a town to get to another motorway. As soon as you have to think how to use a route, or to get from one to another, either the map becomes cluttered with 'recommended routes' or you put signs everywhere so that people can work it out for themselves on the day." (<a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12143&page=12#post-146502" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12143&page=12#post-146502</a> - which was a late contribution to a thread from the departed Mr Parker) Klaxon on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233717 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:23:38 +0000 Klaxon 233717@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ A point to point schematic, like a 'tube map', is only appropriate where there's no navigation skill involved in travelling between the two points. Obviously there's no thinking when you catch a train, it takes you from A to B and you don't have to worry about navigation. Cycle routes need to be clear, direct and well signposted. The Edinburgh Innertube designers clearly understand this, which is why they've not mapped fictional cross-city links (ahem, quiet routes). (<a href="http://www.innertubemap.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/BS3253-Innertube-Map-Version-2B_Version-2.pdf">link to their most recent map</a>) Hope they have an update soon to show the new St Leonard's link. kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233716 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:14:01 +0000 kaputnik 233716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ A perfect summary, Dougal! I were right about that saddle on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233711 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:47:42 +0000 I were right about that saddle 233711@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ a diagram of Scotland's active travel infrastructure being itself unpleasant and difficult to use That's it exactly. dougal on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233709 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:38:33 +0000 dougal 233709@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ There's something beautifully ironic in a diagram of Scotland's active travel infrastructure being itself unpleasant and difficult to use. crowriver on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233700 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:18:59 +0000 crowriver 233700@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "miles of beautiful, remote, winding rural roads, breathtaking views, sheep and terrible drivers (including the not too infrequent homicidal maniac in a quarry tipper lorry or local bus)." Sounds like most of Scotland outwith urban areas! :-) Oh and the map is basically an amateur rip-off of the Scotrail network map. Unfortunately it bears little relation to actual geography: just look at the sections in Fife or the isles for example! That said, "filling in gaps in the network" seems a worthwhile aim, but chdot's qualifications are noted. I were right about that saddle on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233695 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:00:39 +0000 I were right about that saddle 233695@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ That map is grotesque. Apart from anything else, it's ungrabbable. chdot on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233683 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:27:45 +0000 chdot 233683@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "Not sure this should appear on a "get out on your bike" map." But it's a quiet route on a network... kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233678 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:20:45 +0000 kaputnik 233678@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I have cycled from Barra to Butt of Lewis. There's nothing but 175 miles of beautiful, remote, winding rural roads, breathtaking views, sheep and terrible drivers (including the not too infrequent homicidal maniac in a quarry tipper lorry or local bus). Not sure this should appear on a "get out on your bike" map. chdot on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233677 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:15:51 +0000 chdot 233677@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Don't think worst is an adequate word. " Scottish Government has designated the National Walking and Cycling Network (NWCN) as a national development in the latest National Planning Framework. The development of a strategic network of well-maintained long-distance paths and trails through Scotland will enhance visitor and recreation experiences for all users, as well as supporting active travel and improving health and well-being. " <a href="http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/where-to-go/routes-to-explore/walking-and-cycling-network" rel="nofollow">http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/where-to-go/routes-to-explore/walking-and-cycling-network</a> Of course such 'initiatives' should be welcomed. "well-maintained" is exceedingly positive, but of course questions are - "by whom" and "who's paying". As always the real danger is that, once again, the ScotGov can say 'look what we are doing for walking and cycling'. Realistically this is not ActiveTravel or Transport. It's tourism - good thing. It's recreation - hope all the network is properly connected to nearest towns/cities (not just the nearest car park). Meanwhile the real active travel infrastructure is just the responsibility of LAs - with a bit of ScotGov help via Sustrans. Ed1 on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233675 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:13:25 +0000 Ed1 233675@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Its seems a bit like the Edinburgh cycle innertube map found that hopeless, these tube style maps are confusing unless for the tube kaputnik on "The worst map in the world" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17021#post-233670 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:53:40 +0000 kaputnik 233670@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="https://t.co/dHId63DwPE" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/dHId63DwPE</a> (direct link to PDF) and <a href="https://twitter.com/CyclingSurgeon/status/786137839838830592" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/CyclingSurgeon/status/786137839838830592</a> It's almost illegible and a horror to look at. It is interesting and worth a brain-twisting squint though.