---
# System prepended metadata

title: Desire Lines

---

# Desire Lines

The [concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path#Other_uses_of_the_concept) represent *the shortest and most obvious path between A and B*.

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## Using the map

"Desire Lines"[^1] is a *scratch* map for  collaborating with participants -- **tapping the wisdom of the crowds** -- who are keen to share their local knowledge, when there's very little time to go into the rudiments of OpenStreetMap[^2] (OSM) editing.

### Adding Data

![](https://i.imgur.com/Bg15nsY.png)

On the upper right corner of your screen is a menu for interacting with the map.

The **Add** menu allows you to add path lines, add amenities (shops, parking, shower, etc.) and to report issues of concern to road users.

The **Map Style** option will let you to change the map background, or show additional overlays. The CyclOSM[^7] layer is recommended for an optimal experience. For map details, check out CyclOSM legend[^9].

**Tools** will have options for displaying or exporting the available data.

### Attributes
The information you provide can help volunteers verify, and/or add the data gaps in OpenStreetMap, but are not mandatory. 

**Bikeway**: ![](https://i.imgur.com/DyyN65J.png)


**Amenity**: ![](https://i.imgur.com/7Lv1SUa.png)

**Issue**: ![](https://i.imgur.com/uIl3St7.png)


#### Attribute editing
The edit buttons are (hopefully) self-explanatory. The **edit data** button is for modifying the attributes of a feature. Use **Edit waypoints** (for lines, or **move** for points) to edit the geometry or position of a feature. 

![](https://i.imgur.com/Ij31rLX.png)

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#### Searching and Routing

![](https://i.imgur.com/UF2Ama4.png)

On the upper left corner of the map are controls for zooming and showing your location on the map.

Use the **Search** bar to find places or POIs on the map. 

The **Route** option creates path lines between places, with an option to specify a navigation mode. Thereafter, the path may be marked as a cyling route, or a desire line.

:::info
The information submitted to the page is never added automatically to OSM. It may be subject to further verification, the availability of volunteers, and there is **no guarantee** that ++unverifiable++ information will ever be added to OSM.
:::

A private, editable instance is used in (very) short socialization engagements with the biking and mobility communities, to help them discover the potentials and applications of OSM.

:::warning
If you received an editable link during a mapping exercise, there's no assurance that your link will work after the activity. This is by design, to allow map maintainers to review submissions made by participants during the engagement, and integrate derivable information to OSM, if possible.
:::

Would you like to add details directly to OSM? Do it easily with CycloFix[^3], or check out the OpenStreetMap Beginner's Guide in LearnOSM[^4].

:::success
Any verified information that has been added to OpenStreetMap will be removed from the Desire Lines scratch map.
:::

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## Contact ~~OSM~~ awesome volunteers

Get in touch, or ask questions to OpenStreetMap volunteers in any LoCo hangout [^5]. 

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## Addendum

This tool uses FacilMap[^6] as front-end, and highlight the available data from OpenStreetMap[^2] contributors.

>**OSM bikeways data viz using Bicycle Tags Map [^11]**: [![](https://i.imgur.com/IQf4WRc.png)](http://mijndev.openstreetmap.nl/~ligfietser/fiets/index.html?map=cycleways&zoom=14&lat=10.31934&lon=123.9258&layers=0000B00TFFFFTTFFFTFFFFFFFF)

Looking for something alike? There are similar [^12] [^13] collection efforts in the Philippines, with their own data processing protocols.

:::warning
For your safety, **never** leave private, personal details in your Desire Lines submissions. If  it's necessary to leave a contact information, use a public SocMed or Internet URL contact point.
:::

[^1]: facilmap.org/DesireLines#6/12.157/122.454/CycO - Desire Lines map
[^2]: openstreetmap.org - OpenStreetMap website
[^3]: mapcomplete.osm.be/cyclofix - CycloFix theme in [MapComplete](https://mapcomplete.osm.be/cyclofix)
[^4]: learnosm.org/en/beginner LearnOSM modules for beginners
[^5]: osm.org/wiki/PH - OSM-PH channels for Local Communities
[^6]: facilmap.org - FacilMap website
[^7]: cyclosm.org - a cycling-oriented map layer, updates quickly.
[^8]: opencyclemap.org another biking oriented map.
[^9]: cyclosm.org/legend.html - CyclOSM legend.
[^10]: opencyclemap.org/docs - OpenCycleMap legend.
[^11]: mijndev.openstreetmap.nl/~ligfietser/fiets
[^12]: google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1MUEnacNSB60OpJQG0ViAnzJ6ECrA5z7p
[^13]: https://canvis.app/streetmapperPH
