A free UK cycle journey planner has been launched for the Apple iPhone. The Bike Hub application can work out routes of up to 100 miles, as well as locating nearby bike shops.
And it doesn't end there – updates coming soon include drop-pin start/end navigation and true turn-by-turn navigation, which will effectively turn your phone into a cycling sat-nav.
Moreover, we can exclusively reveal that 'voice of cycling' Phil Liggett is going to record a set of turn-by-turn directions – so as well as the normal "in 20 metres, turn left" you may find yourself being urged to "stretch the elastic" and other 'Liggetisms'.
The app, produced for the Bicycle Association of Great Britain by software developers Tinderhouse, combines routing from Cyclestreets.net with open-source mapping from OpenCycleMap.
What sets it apart from the many other navigation apps available for the iPhone is that the Cyclestreets routing uses algorithms to find the best routes for cyclists, including off-road routes and cycle paths.
Users can choose between routes for confident, fast city riders or slower recreational cyclists, and can bring up details of any bike shops within six miles of their current position.
The app has been paid for by the Bike Hub levy, an industry scheme which pays for pro-cycling projects. As well as the route planner it includes a calendar of events, a news feed from BikeHub.co.uk and cycling quotes.
Bike Hub editor Carlton Reid told BikeRadar: "It's only been available for 48 hours yet is already fourth in its category on iTunes, showing it's been downloaded in huge numbers by cyclists."
The Bike Hub app can be downloaded from iTunes. It's compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad but requires iOS 3.1.3 or later. The sat-nav feature will be free but the Phil Liggett voice guidance will be an in-app purchase.
