Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Google adds bike maps

I haven't tried it yet. I don't know if it is avaialble for the Orlando, FL area. I am definitely going to check it out though.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/03/google-maps-adds-bike-directions/

I haven't tried it yet. I don't know if it is avaialble for the Orlando, FL area. I am definitely going to check it out though.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/03/google-maps-adds-bike-directions/

It's not quite perfect since some features of bikepaths aren't that well known. One route I tried had you ride about a mile out of your way because it didn't know about a tunnel on the route. But it is a nice resource.

Here's what I said over on commuting forum:

Yeah. I have been daydreaming lately of a multiple day tour to from DC to my parents' place in NC, and just tried to see what it mapped out. Instead of following US BICYCLE Route 1, it followed the actual motorized US Rte. 1 all the way to Fredericksburg. I've driven that road a few times, and I can say I would NOT want to ride a bike on it. They do need to to look at forcing the directions onto lower traffic and (preferably) flatter streets/routes. Following the traditional national bike routes or ACA routes for long distance might be a helpful guide for Google to incorporate, too.

I plugged in my commute and it got it pretty much right on, but my route is a lot more straightforward. Also, thanks in part to my reports (or I like to think so anyway), the walking directions which would utilize the same MUPs and streets I commute on were already corrected. Tried a couple other local destinations real quick, and I must say, I'm generally quite impressed with the way it works for the DC area.

I did note somewhere that Google is actively seeking input/suggestions for routing improvements, etc. I know from experience with my commute route and some recently reopened intersections important to driving that the Google Maps team is receptive to these reports/suggestions. So don't hesitate to click on the report a problem link at the bottom of the directions.

It will take a while for them to work out the kinks, I'm sure, but it's a positive development generally. They just need our guidance! ;)

Nice attempt but needs some tweaking.

On one of my typical destinations, Google put part of the ride on a busy highway and on busier city streets with no bike lanes.

Some of the portions were OK, though.

It made good use of existing, published bike paths.

If someone uses this feature as a starting point for creating a route it will be OK, as long as they don't assume Google's route is the best--they may never ride again.

Dan

I tried it for my commute and it did a pretty good job...minus that short trip down an on-ramp onto a four lane with "Motorized Vehicles Only" signs everywhere. On the second half of the ride it did an excellent job of routing me around some of the busier sections on routs I was unaware of. Is it perfect? No, but it's a darn good start.