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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Today at the National Bike Summit going on at the Reagan Building, Google Maps announced it is now giving directions by bike.
The new feature includes step-by-step bicycling directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new “Bicycling” layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.
Time estimates for routes are based on an algorithm that takes into account variables such as the length of the route, the number of hills, and fatigue over time…maybe doughnuts eaten over the winter, too?
You can find it at http://maps.google.com/biking, or from the “get directions” drop-down menu.
Google is behind on this one -way. Check out the http://www.ridethecity.com/ service, which highlights which routes are bikelane’d or not. And you have the options to choose “safe” vs. “direct” routes.
Thanks, Pamela. Yes, that’s a great resource.
Apparently the new Google feature isn’t ideal just yet – http://bit.ly/9pMMZM – but at least it’s a start!
-Turn left, 13th Ave NW – 400ft
-Run red light and swerve onto NY Ave – .4 miles
-Glare at drivers for failing to share the road – .2 miles
-Smile smugly to yourself for saving the environment -300 ft.
Funny, Kirk! Though my directions say this:
– Turn left, 13th Ave NW – 400ft
– Wait for car running red light and evade speeder turning onto NY Ave – .4 miles
– Swerve around delivery truck parked in bike lane – .2 miles
– Enjoy the fresh air and exercise and the money you’re saving on gas, and wish that smug drivers like Tony Kornheiser weren’t trying to run you over because they think their choice of transportation is better than yours. – 300 ft.
http://www.welovedc.com/2010/03/11/tony-kornheiser-hates-cyclists