What Speed Does Google Maps Assume for Biking?


I have wondered many times what speed does Google Maps assume when I’m biking. This article was written to address that topic.

The Google Maps feature that’s associated with referencing travel speed and determining how long your journey will take is the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).

Google Maps speculates your ETA based on a couple of collated averages. Some of these averages are speed limits in the monitored region, relative cycling speeds of commuters, real-time data on traffic, and more.

All these are put together to determine how long it would take to arrive at your destination in order to calculate cycling time.

How Does Google Maps Estimate Cycling Times?

For cyclists that reference Google Maps ETA and use Fitbit to track biking or Garmin watches, you’ll be provided with a proposed duration for the entire distance to be covered.

If you have used Google’s estimated biking time on several occasions, you might notice that the time suggested was actually too long. Cyclists that are quite experienced usually cover the travel distance in a shorter time than the ETA. 

So, Google Maps assumes an average biking speed of 10 miles per hour when you’re riding your commuter bike.

Cycling Directions Availability

Google Maps cycling directions weren’t always available in Europe until now. The first countries to have this service from Google were the United States and Canada.

This service hasn’t been perfected and it might be a bit difficult to actually get the location you’re going to. Most times, you’d have to rely on personal experience and intuition to make use of the cycling directions service.   

Bike routes and Google Maps bike directions aren’t very definite – these routes are subjected to frequent changes. Because of this factor, Google didn’t have an easy time calibrating their cycling directions for accurate results. It took quite some time for Google to get the necessary information needed to implement a reliable cycling directions system.

They had to collect data on safe routes, shortest biking routes, and lots more. Eventually, the company developed a reliable cycling directions system that can efficiently assist bikers.

You can use the service provided to stay on safe biking routes, use the least congested lanes, estimate your time of arrival, and more stuff.

Cycling Routes

As expected, you won’t get directions along major express-ways that ordinarily discourage the movement of a boys BMX bike. The routes that you will be provided with would be suggestions of the least congested roads and lanes.

It makes sense that the Google Maps system should focus on taking you through the fastest and safest biking routes, especially if you’re riding your bike while pregnant. The system is implemented in such a way that you don’t need to know much about the area before you can safely get to where you’re going. The on-screen interface also allows you to take really close looks at details on the mapped area.

This feature will make it easier for you to understand the routes and stay away from unfavorable factors. One great feature of the Google Maps directions system is that it provides users with more than one route that leads to their destination. This way, you get to choose other routes based on personal preference.  

New Features

A lot has been done to create the Google Maps directions system that we now enjoy today. Lots of money, time, and various human resources have been spent.

The software has been created in such a way that its on-screen interface is easy to use and navigate.

There are colored routes and trails that help users to identify congested lanes, fastest lanes, and so on. Feel free to customize a route for yourself; it’s one of the software’s amazing features so you should definitely give it a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google maps good for cycling?

Yes, Google Maps is good for cycling. The software has been gradually developed over the years to provide cyclists with useful data regarding the best routes.
 
You can get details on the least congested routes, the safest biking routes, and lots more. It took Google a lot to accomplish this.

How fast does Google Maps assume you ride your bike?

For cyclists that follow Google Maps ETA, you will get a proposed duration for the entire distance to be covered.
 
If you have used Google’s estimated time on several occasions, you might notice that the time suggested was actually too long.
 
Cyclists that are quite experienced usually cover the travel distance in a shorter time than the ETA because Google Maps calculates you’re riding at 10 miles/hours.

How do you use Google Maps for cycling?

This is what you should do:
 
1. Choose the “Get Directions” option.
2. The address of your starting location goes into A.
3. Your destination goes into B.
4. Choose Bicycling.
5. Get Directions.
6. Choose a route.
7. Customize your route.

Conclusion

I want to believe that you now know what speed does Google Maps assume for biking activities. Google Maps is a great app that’s helping people all over the world today.

The software can be used by cyclists to get information on the best and safest routes. The implementation of this system wasn’t so easy. It took Google a lot of time and money to successfully make it.

Feel free to also customize routes and choose the ones you prefer from the various available links to your destination. But make sure you always use a cycling mirror when riding your bike in the city for extra safety.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not out doing about every kind of biking and experiencing the occasional tumble. Ready to share the ride with you.

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