Google Maps Adds Navigation Mode For Cyclists

Cyclist (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Cycling activity is becoming a trend in several countries, including Indonesia. Google is also improving navigation capabilities in its digital map service by adding routes for cyclists.

The presence of this cyclist mode is due to the large number of requests that have flowed to the internet giant, so that the cyclist feature is present on Google Maps. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for that feature grew by 69 percent.

Quoted from the Google blog page, this cyclist mode allows users to get navigation features and cycling routes. Google makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm technology as well as random data collected from cycling communities in local cities.

"As cycling habits change, especially in the midst of Covid-19, we are constantly updating this information to help you find the most reliable bicycle route," said Vishal Dutta, Product Manager at Google Maps, Tuesday, October 27.

Cyclist Navigation on Google Maps (Google doc)

"We also consider various forms of bike paths and nearby roads that may be less friendly for your bike (such as tunnels, stairs and poor surface conditions) so you can have the best and smoothest cycling route," said Vishal.

So that Google Maps can map safe routes and navigation for cyclists. Google also added transit points for cyclists who want to change transportation using public transportation such as buses or commuter lines.

In addition, Google Maps also offers information related to bicycle rental in big cities. How to use this bike feature is like other public transportation navigation that can be tested on Google Maps.

For now, the cycling service on Google Maps is still being tested on a limited basis in big cities such as Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington, London, Mexico City, Montreal, Rio De Janeiro, São Paulo, and Taipei and New Taipei City. Unfortunately, the company from Mountain View did not say for sure when other cities or countries will get cycling mode on Google Maps.