Are motorcycle riders being left in the dust? For insurance broker Carole Nash, it looks like it, at least in terms of Google Maps – the navigational platform which provides route options and time estimates for cars, public transport, and even travelling by foot… but not for motorcycles and scooters.
In a major bid to get Google Maps to include information for users of powered two-wheelers, Carole Nash has launched a change.org petition for the benefit of approximately 1.25 million riders in the UK.
“Google Maps is a useful tool for so many travellers, but it is baffling that motorcycle routes are not included within the service,” commented Rebecca Donohue, head of marketing at Carole Nash. “With so many modes of transport already available, it seems like the logical next step for biking to be introduced too.”
Meanwhile the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has expressed its full backing for the call. Citing government records, MCIA chief executive Tony Campbell said the number of people getting on to motorcycles and scooters has increased by 74% since 1996.
“Car journey times just aren’t accurate for riders of powered two-wheelers as they cut through rush hour congestion in the time you would expect to move in free-flowing traffic,” explained Campbell. “This has been confirmed through a series of city challenges in many European cities, including several in the UK.”
World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea and British Superbike star Leon Haslam also support the cause.
“We aim to provide motorcyclists with the best possible service and we think that campaigning for a tool that would help British bikers is another great way to do this,” said Donohue. “It isn’t just bikers who would benefit though – research has clearly shown how assisting bikers is to the advantage of cars, lorries, and buses too.”
