Include Ferries as an routing option when using Strava Routes

[DoctorJohn]

For many years now Strava is not able to pick up ferries in the Route builder.

Other programs like Kommoot or Google Maps have no problems with that.

When will this problem be resolved

[Jane]

Hi DoctorJohn,

Thank you for your post.

Strava utilizes OpenStreetMap, an open-source project of geographical data for the entire world, alongside our own heat/popularity and other unique data, to help inform routing decisions. If you are experiencing a routing error, you can help the Strava community by contributing the edit to OpenStreetMap. 

Please note that changes will not be reflected immediately as map updates are completed periodically.

[DoctorJohn]

Hello Jane,OSMAND also uses open street map, and pick up ferries correctly. So it is Mapbox or Strava that causes not implementing ferries in the route builder!!!

[Jane]

Hi again Doctor John,

Thanks for your reply.  I have confirmed you are correct, Strava Routes generally do not route using ferries.  I have moved this idea to our Feature Suggestion board, so that others can also vote on your idea. Feel free to comment on your post to add any details, screenshots, or tags. We kindly ask that you review our Feature Suggestions guidelines, particularly the “What makes a good idea” section, to ensure that your ideas are clear, concise, and can reach as many others as possible.

Thank you for your contribution, we value your input.

[Martyn]

On behalf of all Dutch riders, in a country where we have over 300 ferries (and many Strava subscribers), I ask you to please include ferry crossings in the route builder. It would greatly improve the usability of this tool.

[vanpuyveldewout]

Yes, 

We make now a route to the Ferrie, en start again with another route after the ferry,

In open "street view map" the ferrie exist, also enebled for bikers, but not possible in Strava routes.

Mayby in the future!

[Former Member]

I completely agree : ferries are a reality for many cyclists and programming Strava so that cyclists can include them in their route planning would  greatly enhance Strava's practicality.  

[hannesgassert]

The most beautiful short ride at Lake Zurich involves taking the ferry from Meilen to Horgen. Being able to use that route for planned group rides would be lovely indeed. Can't be that hard to implement technically 🙂

[couling]

I've had similar problems when planning routes through Devon and Cornwall, with both Padstow/Rock and Torpoint ferry.  I can see both are on OpenStreetMap and, both have enough recordings to show up on the Strava heatmap. So it's a bit frustrating not to be able to create that without manually hacking a GPX file myself and distributing it.

I recognise implementing a route finder capable of utilising ferries may be complex to develop as the metrics for both time and distance would be complex to figure out.  If someone tries to plan a long route they typically don't want it to cheat and just find a ferry, train, ... that can just do part of the route for them. And yet ferries are great little hacks if you want to cycle particular roads.

Even if the route finder (software) component of Strava routes cannot use ferries, it would be greate if the users could explicitly use them.

A really great first step to getting this functionality may be to simply allow us to create a route with a deliberately missing section in it.  Eg: if an "end segment" and "start segment" did not try to plan a route between them. This would let us mark the ferry terminals, canal locks and other passable obsticals with an "end segment" on one side and a "start segment" on the other, leaving a gap across the water.  Waypoints would be excellent for this as they allow names and descriptions too.