Google Maps

In a move sure to make the grade with cyclists across the United States, on Wednesday added bicycle routes to its Google Maps service.

Biking directions and extensive bike trail data are now available for the United States through Google Maps, giving cyclists nationwide a way to customize their trips, figure out the most efficient routes, make use of bike lanes and avoid big hills.

"When I need to get off the trail to cross town, biking directions makes sure to keep me on bike-friendly roads and avoid some of the city's busiest intersections," Google product manager Shannon Guymon explained in a blog post early Wednesday morning. "The time estimate for the route is based on a complex set of variables accounting for the type of road, terrain and turns over the course of my ride."

More than 12,000 miles of trails are now included in biking directions and outlined directly on maps through the service thanks to a partnership with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Guymon added. Also included are data on bike lanes and recommended streets for 150 cities across the country.