Google Maps are useful for many things, but until now they didn’t have proper support for people who enjoy cycling on a daily basis. The new update brings a feature called “lite navigation” which will help cyclists get around.
When you travel by car, Google Maps allows great navigation but it’s not really suited for biking. The new feature that was announced will show all of the important details along the chosen route with optional turn-by-turn navigation. The new model also takes into consideration the fact that cyclists can’t really look at their phones all the time.
With the lite navigation, you’ll be able to see an overview of the route, the current ETA, and any changes in elevation along the way. The notifications will show you the destination, the estimated time to arrive there, and you can also share a trip with someone. “At a glance, you can track your trip progress, see your ETA updates in real-time, and even know the elevation of your route so you can keep your focus where it needs to be—on the road,” reads a Google blog.
This is one of the ways Google is pushing towards sustainability. The company will also start directing drivers down the routes that are more fuel-efficient, which they announced back in May.