Apple cycling Directions – ADDED to UK and Ireland

In long overdue news, Apple quietly expanded cycling directions on Apple Maps to include all of the UK and Ireland; previously, coverage was limited to the USA at launch in 2020, later expanding to cover selected British cities -as late as 2024 for the UK DCE, often restricting its usefulness for long rides.

It’s a nice feature, good enough for casual cycling with useful options to avoid busy roads, get turn-by-turn instructions, and be warned about hills and when walking is required.

Apple Maps cycling directions include warnings for steep hilly zones and highlight sections along the route where walking on the footpath may be required. It also knows about unpaved road areas, which may be uncomfortable to travel on a bike.

Take Out

It’s taken a long time for Apple to roll this out.

Apple has progressively taken cycling more seriously over the last five years. It now offers a ‘nice’ alternative for anyone wanting to do a ‘bit’ of cycling and not buy a dedicated bike computer. Apple iPhone can be turned into a handlebar BIKENAV, and your Apple Watch generally gives good TBT instructions if you prefer to use it for a simple route.

Apple’s overall strategy with its sports tech is focused on serving the needs of the many. It will never aim to replace the needs of the few with an app to compete with a high-end bike computer like an Edge 1050. That basic strategy nevertheless poses existential threats to any small company that relies on the mass market for sales volumes. That might not seem too bad if you suddenly lose marginally profitable customers. Still, you then have to spread your fixed costs over what remains and lower your already slim margins.