OBP won the 2011 Ottawa Open Data competition

Yes, that’s right.  In February, it was announced that OBP won gold in the community category of the Ottawa Open Data competition.

The thing about OBP is that I’m just the co-ordinator. The magic comes from cyclists like you who contribute problems to the site. I promise you that all cyclists have a different location or understanding of problems on routes they frequent. Dozens of you have done that in the last year, and I hope you’ll continue to contribute, tell your friends, and use it as a tool for lobbying.

Technically, I’ve learned a lot about WordPress and Javascript.  Google Maps really is fantastic. Google Fusion is not. The competition helped me figure out a lot of old problems with the site I’d never noticed. My decade-old dislike for Internet Explorer is something I can now easily defend.

There was significant cash behind this, and I trust you’ll believe me when I say I’m committed to continuing engaging the community to explain that Ottawa needs better bicycle facilities, and that’s what this money will go to. Just like everyone else, I expected this to just cost time and some money. It was never my expectation to ever make money on this, and this site started long before the competition was ever announced.

So thanks! Let’s keep going. If anyone wants to talk interactive web maps, mail me.

Later this spring, I’ll send out a note that explains what actually happened in the last year and the progress we’re making.

- Alex deVries, your very lucky and appreciative OBP administrator