Biking directions and extensive bike trail data could soon be added to Google's Map service in the UK, giving cyclists nationwide, a way to customise their trips, figure out the most efficient routes, make use of bike lanes and avoid big hills. "When I need to get off the trail to cross town, biking directions makes sure to keep me on bike-friendly roads and avoid some of the city's busiest intersections," Google product manager Shannon Guymon explained. "The time estimate for the route is based on a complex set of variables accounting for the type of road, terrain and turns over the course of my ride", she added. More than 12,000 miles of trail are now included in biking directions and outlined directly on maps through the service in the US. Also included are data on bike lanes and recommended streets for 150 cities across the country. As of yet, there are no dates for its implementation in the UK, but one predicts that we won't be waiting long. |