Why Google Maps Doesn't Show Bicycle Routes in Some Areas
Google Maps often misses bike routes because it relies on official data that doesn't exist everywhere. Learn why some areas lack cycling directions and how to find better alternatives.
Cycling Directions Not Working: Fix Common GPS and Route Issues
When your cycling directions, turn-by-turn navigation designed for bicycles, not cars. Also known as bike navigation, it keeps leading you down footpaths, staircases, or private driveways, you’re not broken—your app is just misconfigured. Most GPS tools treat cyclists like drivers, ignoring bike lanes, traffic lights, elevation, and surface types. That’s why you end up miles off course, panting up a steep hill you didn’t sign up for.
What makes this worse is that GPS cycling routes, digital paths optimized for bicycles using terrain, road type, and safety data often rely on outdated map data. Apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps don’t always update bike-specific paths, especially in cities like Cardiff where new cycleways pop up every year. Even bike navigation errors, mistakes in route calculation that send cyclists onto unsafe or impassable roads happen because the algorithm doesn’t know if a road has cobblestones, no shoulders, or a 15% grade. And if you’re using a cheap fitness tracker or phone without a good antenna, signal dropouts make things even worse.
Fixing this isn’t about buying expensive gear. Start by switching to apps built for cyclists—like Komoot, Strava, or Ride with GPS. These tools let you filter out highways, unpaved trails, or steep climbs. Check if your route avoids roundabouts (they’re nightmares on bikes) and look for greenways or segregated paths. Always preview the route before you leave. Zoom in. Look for small details: a tiny bike symbol, a dashed line, a warning tag. If it looks sketchy, it probably is. Also, make sure your phone’s location services are set to high accuracy, not battery saver mode. And yes, sometimes the fix is as simple as restarting the app or clearing its cache.
If you ride in Cardiff regularly, you know the difference between a mapped route and a real one. The Taff Trail isn’t always shown correctly. The cycle lane on Bute Street? Often missing. That’s why local riders rely on community tips, not just algorithms. The best routes aren’t always the shortest—they’re the safest, smoothest, and quietest. That’s the kind of knowledge you won’t find in a generic app. But you will find it in the experiences of others who’ve been there, got the muddy knees, and figured it out.
Below, you’ll find real fixes, app comparisons, and tips from riders who’ve been stuck in the same spot you are. No fluff. Just what works.
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