# Why I don't use Google Maps in Amsterdam Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csHdwHTteOw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/csHdwHTteOw Generated: 2026-02-01T12:33:56.508+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Google Maps frequently routes cyclists onto car-centric streets, even in Amsterdam where specialized cycling infrastructure exists, resulting in dangerous and frustrating experiences compared to routes that prioritize cycling infrastructure or utilize local knowledge like the Fietsersbond Routeplanner. **Key Points:** - Google Maps often suggests routes for cyclists that follow major car-centric roads (00:05, 00:09, 00:18) rather than dedicated cycling infrastructure, as seen in Amsterdam (00:03, 00:11). - In Amsterdam, the cycling network (green lines on map) is vastly superior to the car network (red/black lines on map) (03:05-03:12). - The Dutch route planner Fietsknop prioritizes cycling infrastructure, showing routes that avoid car-centric areas and traffic lights (03:17, 04:23, 05:15). - The inherent bias in Google Maps prioritizes speed for driving (00:13, 08:08, 12:50), leading to suggestions that are often the least enjoyable or safe for cyclists (00:25, 07:07, 08:23). - The speaker notes that the specialized Dutch route planner offers granular control over road types, including avoiding obstacles for wide bikes and prioritizing routes that avoid traffic lights (14:14-15:48). - Google Maps' routing, even when showing cycling data, still defaults to car-centric logic, making routes unnecessarily long or dangerous (08:34, 09:58, 13:18, 13:33). - Nebula, the platform hosting the video, is creator-owned and offers ad-free viewing and exclusive content for subscribers (23:08, 24:50). ![Screenshot at 00:10: Cyclists utilize a dedicated, red-paved, separated bike lane in Amsterdam, contrasting sharply with the car-dominated streets shown elsewhere, illustrating the superior cycling infrastructure Google Maps often ignores in its routing suggestions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-00-10.jpg) **Context:** The video contrasts how Google Maps routes cyclists in different urban environments, specifically comparing the highly bicycle-friendly infrastructure of Amsterdam with car-centric planning common in the US. The speaker argues that Google Maps' underlying algorithm is biased towards car speed and efficiency, even when calculating cycling routes, often leading cyclists onto dangerous roads with heavy car traffic, stop signs, or traffic lights, instead of utilizing superior, safer cycling infrastructure found in places like the Netherlands. ## Detailed Analysis The video demonstrates that Google Maps provides suboptimal cycling routes, especially in cities prioritizing cycling over cars, by showing clips from Amsterdam where dedicated, high-quality cycling infrastructure is evident, yet Google Maps often suggests routes that force cyclists onto busy, car-dominated streets (00:03-00:28). In contrast, the Dutch cycling route planner, Fietsknop, explicitly prioritizes cycling networks (green lines) over car networks (red/black lines) on its map interface (03:05-03:12) and offers granular controls to avoid things like traffic lights, unpaved roads, and obstacles suitable for different bike types (14:14-15:48). The speaker shows that even in Amsterdam, Google Maps' driving-centric algorithm suggests routes using highly trafficked main roads or roads with frequent traffic signals for cyclists (08:00-08:04, 13:14-13:16), while local, quieter residential streets remain unused by the routing service (13:40-13:42). The speaker concludes that the biases in Google Maps make cycling navigation frustrating and potentially dangerous in well-designed cities, contrasting this with the Dutch approach where cycling infrastructure is prioritized even in residential areas (10:01-10:08). The video ends by promoting Nebula, a creator-owned streaming service, as a way to support content creators like Not Just Bikes who produce videos highlighting these urban planning differences (23:08-24:20). ### Amsterdam Cycling Infrastructure - Dedicated red-paved, separated bike lanes are common, often featuring islands for pedestrian crossings and traffic calming (00:10, 04:24, 10:42). ### Google Maps Routing Bias (Driving) - Maps prioritize car speed and directness, leading to winding routes in suburban US areas (11:51) and routing cyclists onto major arterial roads (00:09, 08:00). ### Dutch Route Planning (Fietsknop) - Offers customization to prioritize cycling networks (green lines) over car networks (red/black lines) and avoid specific features like traffic lights or steep terrain (03:06, 14:14-15:48). ### Impact of Car-Centric Design - US suburban streets are designed with winding cul-de-sacs to discourage through-traffic, which is inefficient for all modes, including emergency services (11:55, 12:25). ### Amsterdam's Prioritization - Streets like Ferdinand Bolstraat, despite being commercial, are designed to minimize car traffic and maximize pedestrian/cycling flow, often removing car through-routes (13:47, 15:00, 15:50). ### App Feature Comparison - Google Maps' estimates are based on car data, underestimating transit/cycling times (07:52, 20:52). Nebula, the sponsor's platform, offers creator support and ad-free content (23:08). ![Screenshot at 00:09: Cyclists navigate a complex, multi-modal intersection in Amsterdam featuring dedicated red bike lanes and tram tracks, highlighting dense cycling activity.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-00-09.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:01: A map of Amsterdam showing distinct networks: car network \(red/black\), main network \(black\), and bicycle network \(green\), illustrating infrastructure prioritization.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-03-01.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:07: A highly car-dependent intersection in the US \(Las Vegas area\) with wide roads, multiple lanes, and numerous stop signals, contrasting with Amsterdam's focus on dedicated lanes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-08-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 13:53: A dedicated, separated, paved cycling route in a rural/natural area in the Netherlands, contrasting with urban road conditions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-13-53.jpg) ![Screenshot at 24:50: The Nebula streaming service interface showing various science and documentary content, indicating the platform that sponsors the content creator.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csHdwHTteOw/00-24-50.jpg)