Google Maps Gets Eco-Friendly Routing, Lite Navigation For Cyclists Coming Soon

Google has begun rolling out eco-friendly routing to Android and iOS users in the United States. In 2022, Google plans to make this feature available to its European consumers. “We estimate that eco-friendly routing has the potential to prevent over one million tons of carbon emissions per year — that’s the equivalent of removing over 200,000 cars from the road,” Google posted.

Google also revealed that the information on bike and scooter sharing has been expanded to over 300 cities worldwide. The latest version intends to assist commuters in reducing overall emissions and enabling them to make "greener" decisions as they move between locations. While eco-friendly routing and information sharing about bikes and scooters are already available, a third feature tailored specifically for cyclists will be available in the coming days.

Google also stated that in addition to displaying the fastest route, Google Maps will also provide the most fuel-efficient route, even if it is not the fastest. For cyclists, Google is developing a feature called Lite Navigation. Cyclists can rapidly see crucial facts about their trip with lite navigation, without having to keep their screen on or enter turn-by-turn navigation.