Google Map Rolls Out New Features for Better Bike Navigation

Google Maps has made a major update to its bike navigation capabilities, which include highlighting route options where users can find the greater provision of cycling infrastructure and which ones will encounter heavy traffic. In a recent blog post, Google noted that ‘over the past few months, cycling has increased by more than 40 percent worldwide’. It also mentions that their new route information means that cyclists will ‘soon be able to easily compare bike routes and see even more granular details (when this data is available) to prepare for the ride ahead.

The new feature, known as ‘lite navigation’, will allow you to see important details about your current trip without the need to keep your phone’s screen turned on. Also, you do not need to enter the full turn-by-turn interface to use the feature. At a glance, it will enable you to see your current ETA and the changes in elevation.

Google has announced that the introduction of this new feature is a part of a broader effort related to sustainability. With the new rollout, Maps will also display the most fuel-efficient route that you can take to a destination, in addition to the fastest one as it has always done. The tool will also display your relative fuel savings should you decide to follow the more efficient route. Google estimates the feature may help prevent almost 1 million tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Additionally, Google has also announced another new feature in Google Maps with aerial and more immersive views of 100 landmarks. The company has long been working on the idea of immersive views at its developer conference Google IO with an aim to create 3D models of landmarks with the help of Street View, satellite, and aerial images. Keeping that in mind, the company is rolling out immersive views of more than 100 places situated in cities like London, Barcelona, San Francisco, New York, and Tokyo. While this feature is currently restricted to landmarks, going by what the company had previously mentioned, it will be extended to restaurants and neighborhoods.