In January 2007, George Coulouris spent some time investigating possibilities for on-line mapping tools. This resulted in a program that generates overlays for Google maps. We announced the first prototype on 1st January, but now (22nd May), we have just released on version 2.0, developed cooperatively by George and Jean.

The system consists of new software that uses the Google Maps API (application programming interface) to display the lines representing the routes as well as all the markers and their information tabs.

We implemented the new software mainly in Javascript with a little bit of PHP to communicate with a MySQL database.

The Javascript functions build the menus and other user interface components (e.g. buttons) by which users can manipulate the routes and interact with the system (e.g. scrolling and zooming). These functions communicate with the Google Maps API in order to display the lines representing the routes and the markers and their information tabs.

All of the data for the routes, the bike stands and the bike shops, as well as the menu definitions is stored in various tables in the MySQL database. The Javascript program sends queries to the database and receives replies from it via the PHP program which runs on the same server as the database.

The PHP program is needed because the database isn't a web service: that is, it's not possible to communicate with it by means of the HTTP protocol used for communicating with web servers. So, PHP understands HTTP and relays the queries and replies between the javasscript program and the database.

We have made a subdomain of camdencyclists.org.uk called maps.camdencyclists.org.uk as a web address for the maps page.

Here is the map showing the LCN+ Routes in Camden, Islington and City as well as a few in Westminster as well as utility and lesiure routes contributed by members, as well as the cycleways on Hampstead Heath.

You can have a look at the map

If you know a good route and would like to give it to us, read about How to contribute