If you don’t have a bike readily available to ride, Google has announced new updates to Google Maps that make it possible to find local bikeshares and view up-to-date bike routes.
A bike ride sounds great until you remember you don’t own a bike. Use Google Maps to locate a bike shop or bikeshare service, then get out there and ride.
Gone biking: When you now look up biking directions, Google Maps will show you walking directions to local bikeshares, turn-by-turn cycling directions to the nearest bikeshare, and, most importantly, bike availability. Best of all, Maps will also provide links to the relevant app to book and unlock the shared bike, rather than you hastily downloading the app when you get there.
Perfect path: Of course, a bike ride is no good without a decent route, and Maps will now keep routes up to date to give you both a smooth ride and to prepare you for what’s to come. No one wants to climb steps or navigate tunnels when all they wanted was a quick downhill jam.
“However, the best route can always change and we are hard at work to reflect new information,” wrote Google. “For instance, due to COVID-19, many cities are adding and widening bike lanes to encourage cycling and accommodate more riders.”
Around the world: Google explains they’ve launched “a dockless bike and scooter integration with Lime in more than 100 cities” over the last few years and will add 10 more cities alongside these new updates.
Thanks to partnerships with Divvy, Lyft, Bay Wheels, Santander Cycles, and more, bikesharing directions will be supported in Chicago, New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, DC, London, Mexico City, Montreal, Rio De Janeiro, São Paulo, Taipei and New Taipei City.
Bottom line: According to Google, worldwide searches for “bike repair near me” hit an all-time high in July, indicating a growing desire from people to take a bike for a spin. If you’re stuck at home and want to get out more, why not plan a ride and explore your city?
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