Apple has rolled out a major update to its Maps app that adds dedicated bike routes for riders in Australia, along with useful functionality such as turn-by-turn directions and elevation information.
Launched on Friday, the update sees Australia join the US, UK and Canada as just the fourth country to benefit from the technology. It is available now for iPhone and iPad users.
After selecting a destination within the Apple Maps app, users can now toggle to a “Cycle” option among the different transport modes. Apple says the new feature will be available across the country, though at the time of writing we weren't able to confirm it is working for Tasmanian users.
The "Cycle" option then generates the optimal route from point A to point B for people riding bikes (at least as the software sees it), and much like competitor Google Maps, offers estimated travel times and alternative routes for those seeking other options.
Once the rider has settled on a route and hit “Go,” the app offers turn-by-turn directions and elevation information, which is again similar to the bike riding directions offered by Google Maps.
Apple Maps does go a little further in this area, however, offering detail on whether you can expect a bike lane, a shared path or a main road (see the comparison below with Apple Maps on the left and Google Maps on the right).
The app also warns of steep climbs and one-way streets along the way, and offers a handy toggle feature when route-planning to help avoid hills and busy roads.
Google Maps began adding cycling routes in Australia in 2012, with Apple’s solution landing more than a decade later. According to Gizmodo, this is because Apple has endeavored to offer the equivalent level of detail and guidance across the entire country.
While we haven’t had the opportunity to jump in the saddle and test out the updated Maps app yet, a surface-level exploration does suggest it could prove quite useful. The suggested routes to familiar destinations, for example, do favor trails and paths, and appear consistent with the timing and bike routes we would normally take.
The real test, of course, will be using Apple Maps to ride through unfamiliar surroundings to unknown destinations. We’re excited to see how this new tool for bike riders stacks up in this regard.
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