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Friday, April 16, 2010

Edition 15 : Go Biking with Google Maps

Now find your way by Google bike routes. Google’s new gadget Google Maps for cyclists has been a great hit with riders across the world. Chances are high that many will make their best to lay their hands on this amazing device that would certainly redefine cycling. The good thing is that the Internet giant has already expressed its eagerness to offer customized directions for bicyclists. The company has earlier unrolled devices that helped people in driving, walking or riding public transit. But bringing out such a gadget for bicyclists was not an easy job. It took the company some time to bring it out. Talking about this product on Google’s official blog, product manager Shannon Guymon said: "We knew that when we added the feature, we wanted to do it right. We wanted to include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling to encourage folks to hop on their bikes." Gathering trail-map data was not a cakewalk for the company. Insiders say that Google worked with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to produce it. "The demand for trail maps and information has never been higher, especially as more people recognize biking as a viable, inexpensive and healthy alternative to driving," Rails-to-Trails President Keith Laughlin said in a statement. The easy-to-use gadget comes with bike paths and bike lanes. Besides, it will also provide information on other recommended routes in the US.

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