nhertzler's Comments
| Changeset | When | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 179593051 | I understand OSM's position as a repository for data, showing things that DO exist, and not necessarily being concerned with whether or not they SHOULD exist. The issue I do have though is that basically every mapping application in existence draws data from OSM, meaning that illegal trails end up being shown on mapping apps that implicitly suggest that they are there to be used. This trail specifically is baked into the basemap of the trailforks mountain biking app- meaning that it shows up, but is not 'clickable' per se like official trails are. This means that regardless of whether or not I change access information on OSM, no one will be able to see that the trail is actually illegal, closed, or otherwise. And sorry- mountain bikers are not whipping out OSM on their phones to check if a basemap trail on trailforks, gaia, strava etc. has official access. What's more is that this trail has a slight possibility of being legitimized in the future through the work of myself and the organization that I work for- efforts that are actively hampered by more people being shown this line on the map. Basically what I'm hearing from every mapping platform I've reached out to is, "take it up with OSM" and what I'm hearing from OSM is, "Not our problem, if people aren't supposed to be on it then it shouldn't have been there in the first place." All of the companies and organizations responsible for showing illegal trails to the public claim that it isn't their responsibility, which is incredibly frustrating as someone working with land managers to increase public access. This area recently became a public park, and has a master plan that includes many more trails to be built, however they are not promised. Increased illegal usage (implicitly encouraged by showing illegal trails on mapping apps) is a very convincing argument for land, managers to point to when deciding to stop allowing for trail development on their land. I know this is just one instance, but I would ask you to please allow for the deletion of this trail from the database until we are able to work to legitimize it. |