#1 2010-03-10 00:33:11

tomwald
Moderator
From: 78722
Registered: 2008-05-27
Posts: 290

New! Google Maps by bike!!!

http://maps.google.com/

Choose "Get Directions", then choose "Bicycling" from the drop-down menu.  Have fun, and report strange routes.

I got the news here:  http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2010/03/ … mit-today/

There is also a local story here:  http://www.austin360.com/recreation/aus … 37051.html

Last edited by tomwald (2010-03-10 01:21:56)

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#2 2010-03-10 22:41:36

rich00
Member
Registered: 2010-01-18
Posts: 166

Re: New! Google Maps by bike!!!

That's pretty slick. Great for riders new to an area.


I still think new riders should definitely pick up the color coded bike route map. That's still much much better.

Last edited by rich00 (2010-03-13 02:09:36)

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#3 2010-03-12 19:01:41

mbmuller
Member
Registered: 2009-11-12
Posts: 8

Re: New! Google Maps by bike!!!

This is a nice feature, but I would encourage those that have good bike route knowledge to use it to find a route, and then use the feedback mechanism to report problems and/or ill advised directions.  For example, when it give directions involving a long stretch on North Lamar.  If we all do this, it should hopefully improve and not give such obviously poor bicycle routes.

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#4 2010-03-13 19:47:52

CharlesDuffy
Member
Registered: 2009-07-03
Posts: 56

Re: New! Google Maps by bike!!!

On a related note --

I asked one of the Google Maps engineers at Mobile Social on what the best way was to document streets outside of the central Austin area that already has good coverage (the bicycle route info pretty much all goes away north of Howard); the response was that for now we should use the "Report Problem" link, but that they're going to be releasing a dedicated map/route documentation tool eventually.

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#5 2010-03-15 18:02:03

tomwald
Moderator
From: 78722
Registered: 2008-05-27
Posts: 290

Re: New! Google Maps by bike!!!

I like this perspective on the new Google Maps by bike function:  http://onenightlemonadestand.wordpress. … nt-routes/

I... found that the biking option includes FOURTEEN turns for a trip that is 2.7 miles, compared to the five turns recommended for the car.

Most of the bike trip is measured in feet rather than miles: 157 feet, then a turn, then pedal for 200 feet, then turn, ride for 335 feet, then turn. Oh! Ride for .1 miles, then turn, then .3 miles, then ride for 292 feet, then turn, etc.

Hm. Not very efficient. In fact all of this stop and go and turn and go and turn and go sort of defeats the purpose of riding a machine that depends on momentum for much of its magic.

Some local quotes from Elliott McFadden of http://AustinOnTwoWheels.org :
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Goog … 69511.html

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