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Google Bike Directions Could Be Useful Tool For Cities

Soon to be added to the Google empire are “Bike There” directions on Google Maps, offering cyclists information about nearby bike paths, lanes and trails. The announcement garnered no more than a sentence and a half in a larger company update, but has many in the cycling community waiting on bated breath.

Since adding the ‘Take Public Transit” option to Google Maps, Google has regularly shown site visitors that their trip can be accomplished outside of a car. With 22% of the online map market share, Google’s endorsement of public transit and its efforts to make it more accessible are a resounding boon for sustainable transportation. “Bike There” would take that multi-modal approach a step further, by offering non-motorized users directions that encourage the use of bike-specific infrastructure. “Bike There” directions would also reinforce bikes as a viable and appropriate means of transportation, especially in urban areas.

Several good map services already exist for cyclists, including Ride the City in NYC. But Google would become the largest provider of cycling directions, and the most likely to attract new riders. Cities that are trying to reduce traffic and pollution by promoting cycling would do well to assist the Google team if requested. Similar to the way that Google’s transit directions rely on information from transit agencies, local knowledge of biking conditions and frequent changes to the cycling network in some cities means that local input may be important for this feature to succeed.

Much of the impetus for the feature arose from an online petition that has been circulating the Internet for over a year. To sign the petition, visit googlemapsbikethere.org.

 

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Peter Smith
14 years ago

i think google maps market share is now 40+%, and it is now the leading online maps provider.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/mapquest_refreshes_with_new_style_-_but_is_it_enou.php

thanks for the link.

:)

Ed Rush
Ed Rush
14 years ago

I have found the public-transit and pedestrian directions very useful at times, and I look foreward to the bicycle routing. Thanks, Google!

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[…] thanks to The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) (wiki, who just blogged about our petition (thanks, y’all!), and in doing so, they implored us to assist Google if our help was […]

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[…] Are you really shocked to learn cyclists inhale twice as much dirty air as drivers? Google may soon add biking directions on their route to world domination. Yes, this sign means you have to stop, too. England swings like […]

Jay
Jay
14 years ago

Thanks for posting this – it’s good news. The City does offer a useful site, but it would be quite helpful to connect trips that span into Westchester County, Long Island, and New Jersey. (It seems sometimes the bicycle community in New York City ends too abruptly at the edge of the 5 boroughs!)

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[…] thanks to The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) (wiki), who just blogged about our petition (thanks, y’all!), and in doing so, they implored us to assist Google if our help was […]

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