Google Maps Adds Bike-Friendly Features

 Google Maps, a popular feature offered by the Internet search giant, currently offers directions for car travel, walking, and public transportation. Starting on Wednesday, the service will add bicycling directions at maps.google.com/biking for 150 different cities around the United States.
 
"Several online bike-trip sites already exist," the Chicago Tribune reported. "But bicycling advocates hope Google's entrance in the market benefits not only individual riders. ... One goal is to make it easier for non- or infrequent cyclists to access the service, thereby promoting more bicycling." Plus, Google reaches a far wider audience.
 
And, the site's advanced algorithm will calculate riding time based on a number of factors, including length, fatigue and changes in elevation. It will map out recommended turn-by-turn routes, but also highlight existing bike trails, on-street lanes and more. "The Google bike-trip planner will not immediately by available on cell phones, and other wireless devices, but company officials said they are working on a mobile application so that cyclists can look up directions while on their bikes," the Tribune reported.
 

Read original story in The Chicago Tribune | Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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