Bike lanes may not be coming to Toronto streets, but they are coming to Google Maps
Torontonians will soon find a new bike feature added to the popular Google Maps site, which will allow users to plan out bike-friendly routes with the service’s trademark take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt reliability. Users in most major Canadian cities—namely, Ottawa, Gatineau, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna and, of course, Toronto (no Montreal, apparently)—will be able to select routes of bike trails and bike lane-equipped roads. Canadian cyclists who do not live in those cities will have to settle for highlighting of routes with low traffic volume instead.
Curious cyclists can check out the service on the maps of some American cities in advance of the Canadian version’s launch later in the week. Fortuitous timing, really, as Toronto’s city hall prepares for a hard right turn. For the foreseeable future, at least, Google won’t have to put too much effort into keeping up with Toronto’s plethora of new bike lanes.
• Toronto’s bicycle lanes to be plotted on Google Maps [CTV]
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/bike-lanes-may-not-be-coming-to-toronto-streets-but-they-are-coming-to-google-maps/&title=Bike lanes may not be coming to Toronto streets, but they are coming to Google Maps&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/NEw-York-Bike-Lanes.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_47802" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Bike lanes in New York City on Google Maps"][/caption]
Torontonians will soon find a new bike feature added to the popular Google Maps site, which will allow users to plan out bike-friendly routes with the service’s trademark take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt reliability. Users in most major Canadian cities—namely, Ottawa, Gatineau, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna and, of course, Toronto (no Montreal, apparently)—will be able to select routes of bike trails and bike lane-equipped roads. Canadian cyclists who do not live in those cities will have to settle for highlighting of routes with low traffic volume instead.
Curious cyclists can check out the service on the maps of some American cities in advance of the Canadian version's launch later in the week. Fortuitous timing, really, as Toronto’s city hall prepares for a hard right turn. For the foreseeable future, at least, Google won’t have to put too much effort into keeping up with Toronto's plethora of new bike lanes.
• Toronto's bicycle lanes to be plotted on Google Maps [CTV]){kind=link}
Last night as I drove up Jarvis from Lakeshore to Bloor, I could see the wisdom of removing the centre lane and providing a bicycle lane. It was obvious to me that no serious damage could occur to persons involved in an auto accident since we were all basically standing still.
It was also obvious that no bicyclist could be injured or even annoyed by a vehicle since all eight of the bicycles (seen on my entire trip) were moving and 4 lanes of cars were not.
I did see two bicycles nearly collide as they fought over space in that very narrow lane. Should we be making it wider and reducing the road width so that drivers start buying smaller more fuel efficient vehicles? I’m sure at least 2 people would be pleased. I guess that’s enough.
I could go on and on but its not as much fun when I perceive that no one really cares to correct a dumb move. Congratulations Toronto on another successful strategy to save us from ourselves. I feel safer.