Google Maps Does Bikes

Google Maps has rolled out a map layer and directions for bicycles.

Clicking the More... button and selecting Bicycling will reveal cycling features as different types of lines:

• Dark green indicates a dedicated bike-only trail;
• Light green indicates a dedicated bike lane along a road;
• Dashed green indicates roads that are designated as preferred for bicycling, but without dedicated lanes

It shows the Provo River Parkway trail (see image below) and bike lanes in the Salt Lake Valley, but it only shows part of the Jordan River trail. It's in beta and will probably get better.



Also, when you get directions you can now select Bicycling as the mode of travel (as seen below). According to Google the algorithm will prefer bike paths, lanes and slower less congested roads as well as avoiding hills (which you can override by dragging the route to other streets).


Official Google Blog post about bicycle features

Sample map of San Fransisco with intro video