From the beaches of Goat Island and the slopes of Mount Eden to the hallowed soil of Eden Park, New Zealand is filled with both natural and man-made wonders. This week we’re bringing two new features to Google Maps in New Zealand that we hope will help Kiwis better explore their world: cycling directions and Google Map Maker. Biking routes improve the overall comprehensiveness and usability of the map, while the ability to contribute your local knowledge via Map Maker will help ensure that the maps remain accurate and up-to-date.

First up is

cycling directions which starts rolling out today. Cycling Directions gives you a brand new way of getting around town. Until now the Get Directions button has helped Maps users find their way to places by car, foot and public transport, but now we can help you find the best way to ride your bike from different locations. This should be helpful if you want to bike to work or local shops, or simply want to spend more time outdoors on the weekends.

Thanks to the cycle data we received from organizations such as Wellington Regional Council, Auckland Transport, The National Cycle Trails Project, and Hastings City Council, we can provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of dedicated cycle lanes and calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills. If you want to get a look at bike trails, dedicated bike lanes and bicycle-friendly streets, you will be able to turn on the Bicycling layer on the right-hand side.