Much of what Google lists as bike trails relies on input from locals. There's a link for suggestions and corrections, including routes on roads that aren't recommended. They respond to those who list corrections, though they may not incorporate the info until verified (however they do that). But if you submit a few corrections that pan out, they begin to consider you a reliable source and make changes pretty quickly.

And Android users get 8.0. Same function updates on both (primarily concerned with Offline Mode).

I submitted an application to bike-map the paved trails in Tyler park, but i have yet to hear back from them. I'm sure it'd be of some interest to at least a few people. Bikes are not allowed on unpaved trails due to it being populated with hikers & lil kids on those trails.

- Andy

^^This. At first it took a while for me to get changes made but once they verified a few and found the changes I made were credible, they are now making changes to their maps almost instantly (of course there are a few they need to verify still but most go through).

I've been using the MotionX GPS app last year and this, as my primary bike GPS app with my iPhone. It gives me selectable map downloads to the phone and the GPX format is compatible with pretty much anything else.

What I don't get is easy integration with Strava, etc., but IMO that's a "feature" because my start/end points tend to be from my driveway and I'm not really interested in sharing where I live with the Strava collective.

For general bike maps on the go, I also have Bike Maps by Maplets (Zaia Design) on my iPhone. Useful on my latest trips to Oregon.

I'm on the same plan. I just recently gave up my grandfathered "unlimited" plan once I analyzed how much data I actually use on a monthly basis (including NetFlix and MLB.tv). It's the places with no cell data that are still a problem. The local MUP goes through sparsely populated areas, which is why I ride there, but sparsely populated also means sparse cell data service.

There are a few notable Google's bike maps gaffs around here, including one within throwing distance of one of their facilities. :rolleyes:

Now that I think about it, it seems surprising that bike maps are still not available on the Google iOS Maps app. If they were really interested in corrections, that would seem to be ideal (e.g. mark the current location with the error directly from their maps app). Not that Apple provides bike maps either.

When you find a problem with Google maps, simply right click on the area and select Report a Problem and tell them what the issue is. I've found that they turn things around pretty quickly, less than a month for clear-cut corrections. A significant portion of their bike trail information is crowd-sourced from people "Reporting a Problem". I've had a few short cuts added as bike trails in my local area.

What do you mean by "bike maps"? Bike directions on google are in beta, and i agree with that, as it had directed me to riding along the bypass (55 mph) vs through town (25-35 mph) on many trips.... :rolleyes:

Thankfully my brain knows not to use the bypass between 413 and 532 (its a huge curve with hills). I guess I'm wondering why one of us cant just contact google or apple & ask for a mapping device to expand past what we all ready know are roads....

- Andy

You can:

No need to shout. Check the times, and you'll see the non-responsive question after your post was within 4 minutes and he was probably typing at the same time as you.

There's a spot on Google Maps near my home that pops up as a bike trail, from the ARBT to nearby Mississippi Bar Rd. It's basically up a cliff. (Terrain view) There is a trail, but you will not be riding up it on your Domane/Madone.

Right clicking is not a device. ;)

- Andy

Bike trails are very loosely defined. They can be paved, gravel or dirt. Some are flat and very rideable, others fit only for goats.

Looking at the aerial view, I suspect that the town or county in charge of the trail along the river wanted to show multiple access points.

Near me is a very rideable paved bike path. The county lists lots of access points along the way, but some only wok if you wear hiking boots and are immune to poison ivy. OTOH, good access points are miles apart.