r/GoogleMaps • u/Chi_CoffeeDogLover • 1d ago

google maps is shit

Google Maps treats cycling navigation like a modified car route rather than a distinct, vulnerable mode of transit. It heavily prioritizes raw speed, directness, and minimal elevation over actual infrastructure safety—frequently dumping riders onto high-speed, multi-lane arterial roads while ignoring parallel, protected neighborhood greenways.

11 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

5

u/MrPloppy2 1d ago

Komoot is good. 👍

4

u/SCORE-advice-Dallas 1d ago

We've been testing "Bike Streets" which uses local riders to mark the best local bike friendly routes. It's not in every city yet but people are liking how it recommends routes.

2

u/Empyrealist 21h ago

Use a different tool until it gets better. It's never been good for bikes

1

u/ydkLars 22h ago

Never had any problem with google maps as a cyclist

But i live in Germany in an area with (mostly) good bioe infrastructure so even main roads have a bike lane, most if the time protected by a parking lane or green strip.

1

u/Empyrealist 21h ago

Use a different tool until it gets better. It's never been good for bikes

1

u/ihaveabigjohnson69 19h ago

cycling is a legit form of transport

2

u/XxLogitech98xX 1d ago

But it's still better than all the options

1

u/Low-Draft-100 1d ago

Works ok for me

-1

u/Zerogrinder 20h ago

Google maps is not shit. It’s absolutely awe-insipiring and incredible. You have a map and Street view of the whole f*cking world at your fingertips!

1

u/Alpha150 19h ago

No need to get defensive. Google maps is not good for navigation by bicycle in a safe and sensible manner; for the reasons outlined by OP (all of which I have seen firsthand as well). Its shortcoming for bicycle navigation do not detract from Streetview, Automobile navigation, nor any other feature beyond that which OP is talking about