A car can be the best vehicle to take you from point A to B. But in crowded cities, using a bicycle or motorcycle allows you to maneuver through traffic much more efficiently than a car.
This is why Google Maps is introducing routes specifically designed for two-wheelers.
Initially rolling out in India, starting version 9.67.1, users can tap on the "Two-wheeler" motorcycle icon after searching for a destination on Google Maps. The motorcycle icon adds to the existing transport mode that include Car, Foot, and Train.
The motorcycle mode has the same goal as any other modes: to find the best, most efficient route possible given the type of transportation.
Since motorcycles can fit in places that cars must go around, Maps will generate faster (if not shorter) route, taking into account that the roads are accessible by two-wheelers, or offer directions that are quicker to navigate than when using a larger vehicle.
What this means, estimated travel times should be quicker, sometimes significantly.
Google is aiming to roll out this feature to more countries that frequently face traffic congestion and support a large number of motorcycle riders.
There are a lot of people in the world who ride motorcycles. As a method of transportation, motorcycles are popular for those living in crowded areas, especially on places where cars don't fit well.
To appeal motorcycle riders better, the Two-wheeler mode also features customized routing and voice-guided navigation, apart from enhanced landmark navigation.
The mode is also fairly intuitive, and informs bikers about all possible road closures they will find along the way, and information about the parking situation at their destination, a feature that was previously unique to only the Car mode.