Cumberland Times-News
— Bicycling continues to increase in popularity — particularly in our region.
That popularity may increase now that Google Maps is adding bicycling directions to its search lineup.
The Google Maps tem announced the addition Wednesday.
Shannon Guymon, product manager for Google Maps, told betanews.com: "We wanted to include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling to encourage folks to hop on their bikes. So that's exactly what we've done."
The search giant has taken more than 12,000 miles of bike trail data from the Trails-to-Trails Conservancy’s TrailLink.com database.
That means there will be maps, photos, descriptions and listings for more than 30,000 miles of bike trails.
The information will include the Great Allegheny Passage trail system that runs through Cumberland and Allegany County, as well as the C&O Canal National Historic Park. In being featured by Google, usage of those two bicycling venues can only increase.
"The demand for trail maps and information has never been higher, especially as more people recognize biking as a viable, inexpensive and healthy alternative to driving," Rails-to-Trails President Keith Laughlin said.
With spring’s arrival just days away, Google’s bike route unveiling is perfectly timed.
