OTTAWA – Google will soon help Canadian urban cyclists navigate their cities' many trails when the search engine launches the latest addition to its maps program later this week.

Cyclists will be able to find cycling directions and bike trail data in Google Maps much like motorists already can at maps.google.ca, said Shannon Guymon of Google Canada Monday during a press conference at the Chateau Laurier in downtown Ottawa.

The system is also being launched in Gatineau, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Waterloo.

The new edition will also help cyclists avoid dangerous roads and hills if they wish.

The maps will be colour coded. Dark green that will indicate a dedicated bike-only trial, lighter green is a bike lane along a road and a dotted green line means roads that do not have bike lanes but tend to be used by cyclists.

Riders will also be able to provide feedback to help the system.