Apple Maps adds Cycling
The latest update of Apple’s iOS brings a range of new features to Maps, including a dedicated cycling alternative that will refine bicycle routes and even let users know if the route involves daunting hills.
Apple announced the latest functionality Monday at WWDC 2020, the company’s annual developer conference, on a virtual version.
Apple Maps has included public transit and walking in previous iterations. But the biking option has been the most requested, according to Apple senior director Stacey Lysik.
The cycling feature will roll out in iOS 14 in a limited number of cities initially, starting with New York City,the San Francisco Bay Area, and Shanghai and Beijing in China. Apple will add many more cities in thecoming months, Lysik said.
“We’ve built an incredible cycling experience that helps you get around town on your bike,” Lysik said.
The biking option takes elevation into account to let users know if they are in for a challenging uphill workout or a leisurely flat ride. Lysik said users will also be able to tell it their route includes quiet or busy streets and even if there is a steep passage coming up or if they’ll need to carry their bike up the stairs.
Stairs is obviously not ideal, so this feature also lets users opt to avoid stairs altogether.
