Google Maps sucks

[rogerzilla]

And monkeys fly out of its butt and they suck.

Here are a few photos from the route it tried to take me out of Shrewsbury this morning.

On 25mm road tyres.

 

[fossyant]

Fine on a MTB though !

 

[TC99]

Bunny hop the stairs.

 

[Drago]

I've ridden steps like that on an MTB chasing a guy who was wanted for robbery. Boy could he run!

 

[rogerzilla]

It wanted me to go UP those

 

[DCLane]

Apart from the stairs I'd be fine on 25mm road tyres, then carry the bike up. But I do appreciate their unusual mapping at times.

 

[hrognkelsi]

That’s so annoying, it’s much better in Copenhagen where I live, but I have no idea why that is the case. Maybe just because of the immense amount of cyclists there.

 

[brommieinkorea]

Yes Google has tried to route me across a field (private property can get you shot here), but it was a dashed line. Most of yours doesn't look too bad, but lugging the bike up those stairs looks harsh. Could it have thought you were on foot ?

 

[Electric_Andy]

We found it annoying whilst using it abroad on foot; I accept that the GPS signal can be sketchy at times, but very often it would take is on the least direct route possible, or the most direct but most complicated route possible - it seemed to give us the worst of both worlds every time. Similarly in the car, rather than suggesting a route on A roads with very few turns, it takes you through minor roads with lots of junctions and/or turn-offs. I may one day set it to "car" if on foot and see if that helps, but I suspect not

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm going to play the complete ignorant one here simply because I am! I've never relied on some map on my phone to tell me where to go.

Are these just generalised maps that you guys use where your phone wouldn't know if you were a hiker, cyclist or wagon driver, in which case it could take you anywhere if it thought you were a hiker.

Or do you use cycling specific maps where your phone should really be guiding you in the direction of where you can indeed safely cycle?

Educate me please for future reference.

 

[ade towell]

Use Cycle.travel instead for cycle friendly sat nav, Google is shite

 

[MontyVeda]

I'm going to play the complete ignorant one here simply because I am! I've never relied on some map on my phone to tell me where to go.

Are these just generalised maps that you guys use where your phone wouldn't know if you were a hiker, cyclist or wagon driver, in which case it could take you anywhere if it thought you were a hiker.

Or do you use cycling specific maps where your phone should really be guiding you in the direction of where you can indeed safely cycle?

Educate me please for future reference.

Google maps gives you the options for public transport, car, cycle and on foot. Car routes won't take you down a shared use path, cycle routes won't take you down footpaths and if you're on foot in won't take you down the M6.

 

[PaulSB]

We found it annoying whilst using it abroad on foot; I accept that the GPS signal can be sketchy at times, but very often it would take is on the least direct route possible, or the most direct but most complicated route possible - it seemed to give us the worst of both worlds every time. Similarly in the car, rather than suggesting a route on A roads with very few turns, it takes you through minor roads with lots of junctions and/or turn-offs. I may one day set it to "car" if on foot and see if that helps, but I suspect not

Possibly you have Google maps set to "prefer fuel-efficient routes" - this is the default. I've found by switching this off it's less likely to use small lanes etc for driving but does still tend to go with the shortest route. I find I get different route options available and it's a question of studying these and then making a choice of route. I would like a default for use the fastest etc but haven't been able to find it.

Walking in cities and towns is when I would find Google maps most helpful and this is exactly when I find it difficult to use. I'm getting better with it but its far from user friendly.

 

[PaulSB]

I'm going to play the complete ignorant one here simply because I am! I've never relied on some map on my phone to tell me where to go.

Are these just generalised maps that you guys use where your phone wouldn't know if you were a hiker, cyclist or wagon driver, in which case it could take you anywhere if it thought you were a hiker.

Or do you use cycling specific maps where your phone should really be guiding you in the direction of where you can indeed safely cycle?

Educate me please for future reference.

I'm not sure if there are cycle specific maps but there are most definitely cycle specific apps/planners. My favourite is Ride with GPS (RWGPS). On RWGPS you can switch between several different map types and walking, cycling etc Google maps is one map type available and it can be useful to switch in to but my preference is to plan in the RWGPS Cycle map.

I would advise against using a map on your phone. If you have the funds available use a cycle specific GPS unit. My personal choice is Wahoo. I know there are many alternatives, some are considerably cheaper and people are very happy with those.

 

[Bristolian]

Google maps gives you the options for public transport, car, cycle and on foot. Car routes shouldn't take you down a shared use path, cycle routes shouldn't take you down footpaths and if you're on foot it possibly/hopefully won't take you down the M6.

There you are Monty, I corrected your post for you