This past trip showed the way

     My recent trip to Chicago  about navigation that are worth throwing out.  On the ride up to Muskegon, I knew the way into Holland.  Reaching Holland I found my way to US Bike Route 35 which follows the coast all the way to Mackinaw City.  I'm sure Adventure Cycling has shared those established routes with Google.  They didn't stop there but installed signage to denote the routes.  The signage is sparse where it can be, but in the labyrinth of trails necessary to stay on track in Grand Haven, it was excellent.

There were signs at each intersection and turn in the bike paths,  It was a real luxury to stay in the saddle and not have to refer to the phone every other block. Each turn and intersection was clearly marked and saved a lot of problems, time and unnecessary miles.

     In Kenosha the connection between the trail leading into town, and the one leading to Illinois through the middle of town, became an absolute mystery of disconnected and unlisted bike lanes, residential streets and business areas which were very dangerous at times. Google did not have those improvements updated and there was no signage on the ground  Google Maps is an incredible asset while touring by bicycle but is only as good as the information it's given.

     This is the way Google Maps shows the bike infrastructure in the Kalamazoo area I call home.  It's good, and helpful to a certain extent, but it is incomplete. Having spent a few years working with KATS (Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study) on a 30 year Non-Motorized plan we know that much more exists and additions are made in the area each year..

     Above is the map my friend Paul Sotherland created of our current cycling infrastructure.  Most of this has not been discovered by or provided to Google.  It will be when KATS has verified all the data.  That will be a tremendous improvement for new or visiting cyclists to find their way from A to B or through the metro area on two wheels.  Since Google is the most popular map system on the web it only makes sense that updates be provided to them on a regular basis as improvements are completed.  Rattle some cages in your home town to get some better information on the ground.