Google Maps update in Europe adds navigation for cyclists in six countries

Great news for European cyclists in six countries. Google Maps has been updated and now includes navigation for those who like to pedal their way around the continent in Germany, France, Poland, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Lichtenstein. In those countries, Google Maps has added the function although it had already been made available across a wide swath of Europe.

According to Kai Hansen, Product Manager at Google, the routes provided by the service will take those on two wheels away from those on four wheels and will try to keep cyclists on approved routes. Google even got together with some of the cycling organizations in Europe to add to the data it mined itself.

Bike directions have been available on Google Maps in the U.S. and Canada from as far back as 2010. But putting together a service up to Google standards takes time, which explains why it has taken so long to add this functionality to the six countries. Last July, navigation for cyclists was added to Google Maps for Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.

source: TheNextWeb via electronista