3 new Google Maps features: eco routes and bike navigation

Google announces that from next year we will see ecological routes in Maps. Google will also roll out a custom navigation for cyclists in the coming months. We discuss the three upcoming features.

1. Ecological routes

We know, it’s been talked about a lot. It has been known since March this year that Google Maps will soon show the most eco-friendly routes. We are now getting new, more concrete information. In addition to the fastest route, you will then also see a route in your navigation app that is almost as fast, but at the same time a lot friendlier for your wallet and the climate. This concerns, for example, routes that are shorter and avoid highways.

Google makes the striking prediction that eco-friendly routes could potentially save our planet up to 1 million tons of CO2 per year. That’s the equivalent of 200,000 cars being taken off the road. If you only want to see the fastest route as an option, you can choose this in the Maps settings. The new feature is now available in the United States and is expected in Europe in 2022, Google said in a blog post.

2. Bike Navigation

Cyclists could actually already use Maps for their navigation, at least if they neatly attach their phone to their bicycle. Driving with a phone in hand is of course prohibited. Google is now introducing a special feature called ‘Lite Navigation’, which allows you to see the important information about your route at a glance without having to start regular route guidance or have your screen active all the time.

You see your route on the map, the time remaining and distance, as well as the altitude levels of your route. With the push of a button you can still start the full navigation if you wish. This Lite navigation is also useful for cyclists who keep their phone in their pocket and just stop every now and then to view the route. The feature will be rolled out on Android and iOS in the coming months.

3. Electric scooters and shared bikes

Mobility has changed a lot in recent years, because (electric) shared bicycles are gaining in popularity, and in many European countries you will also find shared scooters that take you smoothly from A to B when there is no convenient public transport connection. Electric scooters are not yet allowed in the Netherlands for the time being.

Google notices that these new modes of transport are gaining in popularity, which is why Google has expanded the number of cities where you can find them in Google Maps. This is now possible in 300 cities worldwide. For this, Google works together with local partners who offer the bicycles and scooters.

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