Google Launches Bike-Friendly Maps

Google has launched a long-requested feature: an overlay of suggested routes for cyclists.

NY Times reports:

Much like the driving and walking directions on Google Maps, the service selects a route and calculates estimated cycling times after a user provides start and end points. The routing algorithm attempts to select optimal directions that avoid freeways and busy roads and intersections, and take into account bike paths, bike lanes and bike-friendly streets. They will seek to route around hills, whenever practical. Google Maps will also offer a “view” geared for cyclists that will display bike-friendly routes. A mobile version is likely to follow soon, said Shannon Guymon, a product manager for Google Maps Directions.

Dedicated bike paths and streets with bike lanes are highlighted in solid green, and streets with wider lanes that are slightly more bike friendly are shown in dotted green. Above is my route from Montgomery Street BART station down Second Street to frog's offices on Third. Second is shown as dotted green, though it's not really a fun street to ride on. Google tries to keep you honest by not suggesting a shorter route that involves going the wrong way for half a block down a one-way street (Third)... If I try to cut across to Third on Brannan then Google dutifully circles me around another block.

Still, this is a great resource for urban cyclists (currently it's available in 150 cities in the US).