Google Maps Adds Bicycling
Urban Velo reports that Google has now added “Bicycling” to their maps. Now you have an option to help you choose a bike route to your destinations.
On closer inspection of “bicycling” filter of my local area, it looks to only show some bike trails. However, the coolest feature is when I map a route – it actually finds a safe option that mixes bike trails with low-traffic roads. What’s even cooler is they give you an option to give them feedback.
From Google:
Bicycling directions are in beta. Use caution and please report unmapped bike routes, streets that aren’t suited for cycling, and other problems.
Overall, they’ve succeeded in recognizing that there are alternate modes of transportation and routes that accommodate them. This type of innovation and progress is why I love Google Maps over the others.
They really need to extend the trail down past Arapaho. I rode that last night, crossed Arapaho (on the wide sidewalk on the east side of Greenville), and the sidewalk just stops. They extend to take that trail all the way down to Spring Valley, somehow.
bibliosk8
March 10, 2010 at 11:17 am
I totally agree. I wouldn’t mind seeing it extend all the way up the DART line into Plano as well.
dickdavid
March 10, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I’ve been using this and am impressed with the directions it suggests. An exciting step for bicycling as mainstream transportation.
Dottie
March 21, 2010 at 4:48 pm