Anyone who has spent even a little time on Google Earth or Google Maps must note that the technology now exists to help people navigate their way to just about anywhere around the globe.
One might even say that getting from point A to point B has never been easier, especially if you have a car.
But what if you want to go somewhere by bike? What if you want to want to take a trip to the corner grocery store to get something, but you don't feel like driving?
One of the most common concerns people have when it comes to commuting somewhere by bicycle is that they're afraid of getting hit by cars. A very reasonable concern when you think about it.
So perhaps bicycle organizations around the country could team up with yahoo maps, for example, to create something called "Yahoo Bike Maps," where one could plan their trip for how to get from point A to point B based on such variables as:
1) hill incline--because some people might prefer a flatter route, even if it takes a little longer
2) availability of bike lanes--people are more likely to get on their bikes if they know there's a route that has continuous bike lanes
3) traffic conditions--whether there are bike lanes or not, people on bikes typically prefer to go where cars are less prevalent. It's safer and it reduces the amount of exhaust you have to breathe in while riding.
If this kind of information doesn't already exist, it could be quite easily found and documented by members of the varying bike organizations who, through their weekly or monthly rides, would undoubtedly know the best routes in the first place.
The point is that the technology exists for creating such a site. It's just a question of whether or not people are going to partner up and put it to use for the benefit of the community at large.