Comments on: Be heard: Convince Google Maps to help bike commuters

By: MARLLL

MARLLL — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:06:15 +0000

By: bikesgonewild

bikesgonewild — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:22:32 +0000

…tim, you should make sure this article is recycled before it roles off the bottom into the archives…the list has doubled since i signed several days ago but methinks google’s gonna wanna see bigger numbers before they commit…

…? to the #6 poster:::have you ever noticed how some individual’s or company’s advertising is annoying enough that you make a mental note to never buy or use that product ???…really ???…

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:04:01 +0000

This is a great idea! I have signed and will point folks there as I can. I live in an area with a great trail system, (Twin Cities, MN) where I have commuted to three different employers from three different locations almost all on trails but Google maps didn’t help since the trails are not shown.

As for the “Avoid Highways” check box, I think Google means “Avoid Interstates” which is a step in the right direction but it does offer completely impossible bike routes including 65 Mph highways with no shoulder.

By: Dave Sohigian

Dave Sohigian — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:50:58 +0000

I was frustrated enough with this problem that last week I created a greasemonkey script (http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/23246) to add this functionality. There are a couple BIG caveats. It only works for Portland, OR. It uses the bycycle.org site for the directions (launches a new window). And it requires Greasemonkey (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748) on Firefox. But, it works.

By: Tim Grahl

Tim Grahl — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:24:44 +0000

Well first off, the avoid highways box doesn’t always work. When I tried to use it in my hometown I was still pointed to the highway for my route.

Also, it doesn’t take into account bike paths.

If google actually cataloged and let you search with bike paths it would be a huge improvement.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:20:48 +0000

What’s wrong with the “Avoid Highways” check box?

By: Johnson

Johnson — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:39:11 +0000

Google Maps is already working on this. Google will be adding biking as an option, just like transit is now on Google Maps, for 200 US cities in Summer 2008, with the goal of eventually having every city in the world covered.