RTC helps Google map bike trails

Technology has made Ruth Thompson's job easier in recent years.

When a cyclist calls and asks for directions, often he or she asks Thompson for GPS coordinates. It's pretty simple for the events and marketing coordinator of Outdoor Chattanooga to type in the coordinates.

It's about to get even easier for her to help, even those without GPS units.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy announced a partnership with Google as the official content provider for Google Maps' new range of operations for biking directions.

"I'm tickled pink because it gives me another resource," Thompson said. "A lot of my job is telling people where they can go play outdoors. If I can send them a link, then bam!"

RTC has been mapping various cycling and mountain biking routes for years. Now the organization is sharing the data with Google, which will create the maps and make them available to the cyclists.

"What this means is that it's opening up a new world of transportation options," said Jennifer Kaleba, vice president of communications for RTC. "This is a moment that has been many years in the making."

In the initial stage, most of the maps are for street cyclists. They provide the safest and flattest routes from point A to point B, much like vehicle drivers use Google to get directions.

Google sends drivers along the freeway to get from the Tennessee Aquarium to Hamilton Place Mall. But the bicycle directions send the rider over McCallie and Brainerd roads.

Future features include trail rides for mountain cyclists.

"People that have a GPS unit can get coordinates and send them to us," Kaleba said. "We'll quality control it, then pass it on to Google, and we continue to update our information so that the tool is going to become more powerful."

Thompson is excited about the potential for the partnership and its impact on the Chattanooga area.

"There isn't a central accessible resource for trails, and we need one very badly," Thompson said. "Nothing can take the place of a solid paper map. But this is a good, solid detailed guide."

The new feature on Google will allow area cyclists such as Jim Farmer to map a route more quickly and easily.

"It's nice to see it being implemented there," Farmer said. "Mapping tools were meant for cars. Not anymore."

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