Google's addition of bike directions in Google Maps, which launched in March 2010, may have caused a ripple effect greater than expected.  You may have recently seen an ad popping up on biking websites and blogs or have noticed the option for bicycle directions in the drop-down when searching on Google Maps.

Google is well-known for their affinity towards alternative transportation methods and has slowly been making it clear there are other alternatives to driving by car.  Back in December 2005, Google launched Google Transit on Google Labs, initially with support for Portland, Oregon - but now it includes hundreds of cities around the world.  In October 2007, Google Transit graduated from Google Labs and became fully integrated into Google Maps, displaying public transportation routing.  Then, less than a year later, in July 2008, walking directions were added to Google Maps.

The news of Google Bikes has many biking enthusiasts excited, some even suggesting that "Google’s heft could also influence city planners to create more bike lanes and more-reluctant bikers to put on a helmet and get peddling."  The idea that the introduction of bicycle directions on Google Maps could influence city planners is a bold statement.  I believe the influence of Google’s bike directions will be felt in many circles beyond city planners as well.  It may take months and years for the positive effects to be seen or felt, but Google's endorsement by adding this feature will send a loud signal to those at the edge of this discussion.

Is it a coincidence that right after Google’s introduction of biking directions, a few days later The Secretary of Transportation for the United States of America, Ray LaHood, issued his ’sea change’ comments on his blog?  "Today, I want to announce a sea change.  People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning.  This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.  We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects.  We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians.  And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities."

By adding this feature to Google Maps, Google Biking will not only attract a larger audience to this topic, but Google has put biking on an equal playing field with driving, mass transit, and walking.

One thing is for sure - Spring is here, offering the greatest biking incentive: warmer weather.  Google has certainly picked the right time to get things rolling.  Enjoy the ride!

App of the Month

In last month's edition of the Holdcom Voice, our Tech Guru "introduced" the iPad to our readers.

This month. I'd like to tell you about an app that, in my opinion, would be a true delight to iPad owners. I first stumbled upon "Classics" during a stroll through the iTunes Store.  Having an iTouch, and being a fan of such time-honored literary masterpieces as "Paradise Lost", "A Christmas Carol", and "Treasure Island", I quickly downloaded the app and never looked back.  Because of the limited screen size of the iPhone & iTouch, this app would translate beautifully on the iPad.

Each classic book is presented in clear fonts, with illustrations in most of the novels. Fall down the rabbit hole with "Alice in Wonderland", bring life to the lifeless in "Frankenstein", and sink to the depths in "20000 Leagues Under the Sea".  The best part of this app…is the price…20 plus classics, for only 99 cents.  Broaden your literary horizons for less than a cup of coffee!

Happy Reading!