awesome!

Cycling enthusiasts tend to be a passionate bunch. So it is not surprising that there are lots of questions about biking information on Google Maps forums. One group, called googlemapsbikethere.org, has collected more than 51,000 signatures asking Google to add biking directions to its maps.

On Wednesday, the company is answering the call, offering biking routes in 150 American cities in Google Maps. Google plans to unveil the service during the National Bike Summit in Washington. The event will be followed by a group ride at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Tex.
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Much like the driving and walking directions on Google Maps, the service selects a route and calculates estimated cycling times after a user provides start and end points. The routing algorithm attempts to select optimal directions that avoid freeways and busy roads and intersections, and take into account bike paths, bike lanes and bike-friendly streets. They will seek to route around hills, whenever practical. Google Maps will also offer a “view” geared for cyclists that will display bike-friendly routes. A mobile version is likely to follow soon, said Shannon Guymon, a product manager for Google Maps Directions. (via)