Google Maps Adds UK Cycling Directions

Google Maps has added cycling directions to its maps of the UK, giving riders advice on avoiding dangerous junctions and steep hills.

A new cyclist icon, alongside  the pedestrian, motorist and public transport icons when asking for directions in Google Maps, gives users a route based on the National Cycle Network, which includes the nation’s dedicated cycle lanes. The addition follows the arrival of railway timetables on Google Maps in January, and indoor maps of a handful of locations, earlier this month.

Safety first!

The UK cycling route planner aims to provide the safset journey, not the quickest, so for TechWeekEurope’s frequent journey to the Earl’s Court exhibition centre, the new cycling directions advise a leisurely route through Hyde Park (pictured).

No matter how hard we dragged the route markers, we could not persuade it to show our normal route, which involves belting through the Hyde Park underpass on a Boris Bike (a bicycle from the Barclays London Bicycle Hire scheme).

There is also a feedback link to add to Google’s store of cycling information.

Environmental transport information service Sustrans has produced a cute video promoting the new service (see below).

Meanwhile, 44 countries in African have been given a pedestrian icon so they can use Google Maps to plan journeys on foot.