So I spent a little time this morning checking into Google map's new bicycling additive, and come away from it with... mixed results. I chose destinations with which I was familiar (since I can not judge what I do not know). The first route went from home to work; this was not too bad, and mostly followed one of the two routes that I normally take. A few problems, however, were encountered. First, while the route utilizes the Pacific Electric Trail, part of the way, it is never identified as such in the directions which could be confusing to someone unfamiliar. Second, at one point a photo with overlaying arrows indicate that the route enters a gated housing development, with directions telling you to "continue onto Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Hmmm. Once you are there, if you make it that far, it is clear where you need to go - continue along the P.E.T. which is adjacent to the gated development, but again this might get a little confusing. Third, the final leg directs you to take Haven Avenue, a six to eight land auto racetrack where speeds regularly are in excess of 50 mph, and completely lacking in cycling infrastructure. No good.

The second test went from home to the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, a favorite weekend route of mine. The directions for this were exceedingly complicated with too many unnecessary turns. I can do this ride by essentially taking four streets; Google maps, meanwhile, recommended nearly ten times more. Enough said.

The third test was for a route my son might take to the local middle school. This one, like the first test, was not too bad, certainly as good as any alternatives I could come up with.

I guess my biggest complaint with the program is that it gives a one size fits all answer. The comfort level of one person may not be the same as the next person. A street that one person would not dream of riding on may be perfectly acceptable to another. Many people who use this program will not look beyond the arrow on the map, or the street by street directions, to realize that there may be a more direct route, or one on "safer" streets. That in a nutshell is the main problem with these type of direction guides / mapping aids, they do not encourage users to explore alternatives, rather than blindly follow directions.

Did familiarity with the area and routes give me an advantage. Undoubtedly, and that is my point; you cannot replicate experience and knowledge. Use Google map as a starting point if you must, but be willing to grow beyond it's limited offering.