For many riders, Google Maps has long been more than a city map. On the way to work, on the weekend ride or on holiday: navigation is almost always there. What many don't know: Google Maps for motorcycles really exists. In certain countries the app offers a dedicated two-wheeler mode for motorcycles and scooters. The catch: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the rest of Europe aren't among them (as of September 2026). The list mainly covers countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Here you'll read how to enable the feature on holiday, why the motorcycle icon is missing at home, how to set up Google Maps for motorcycles in Europe anyway and how the app even knows you're on a bike.
Why Google Maps makes sense for motorcyclists
On a motorcycle you often want something different from in a car. The fastest motorway route isn't always the goal. Twisty country roads, clear routes and roads that are pleasant to ride are often what you want. At the same time there are roads where motorcycles or certain two-wheelers aren't allowed. That's exactly where Google Maps' motorcycle or two-wheeler navigation comes in.
The special routing differs from the normal car mode. According to Google, the two-wheeler mode brings adapted routes, shortcuts not open to cars, improved voice instructions and more landmarks. It was developed for dense city traffic in countries such as India and Indonesia. It won't pick out twisty country roads for you. In its developer documentation Google itself still calls two-wheeled routes beta.
How to enable Google Maps for motorcycles
First open the app on your smartphone as normal. The feature is designed for the smartphone app, not the PC. Enter your destination and tap "Directions". Where you normally choose between car, public transport, bike and walking, an extra motorcycle or two-wheeler icon appears, provided you're in a supported country, for example Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Mexico or Brazil.
If you select this icon, Google Maps calculates the route specifically for motorcycles. The app then works with different values than in car mode and adapts routing and journey time. If you see the icon, you can set off straight away.
Why the motorcycle icon is sometimes missing
This is exactly where many get stuck: the motorcycle icon isn't there. That's usually not down to you, but to the country. Motorcycle navigation isn't available worldwide. Google officially lists the supported countries, and no European country is on that list yet. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland the icon is therefore missing for everyone, whatever you set.
If you're in a supported country, it can still get stuck. Google enables some features on its servers, so two people with the same app version don't necessarily see the same thing. Then you can try a few things.
Motorcycle icon missing in Google Maps: what you can do
In Europe the following won't help, you're left with car mode and adapted route options (see below). On holiday in a supported country, first make sure you have the latest version of Google Maps installed. Updates fix bugs, often bring new features or enable existing ones in the background. Restarting the app or the whole smartphone can also help, because it clears small glitches.
On Android devices, clearing the cache or app data of Google Maps has proven useful. It practically resets the app, which reconnects to Google's servers the next time it starts. Some users report that the motorcycle icon suddenly appeared afterwards. On an iPhone, deleting and reinstalling the app is usually the best bet.
And sometimes only patience helps, because Google doesn't release new features to everyone at the same time.
Setting up Google Maps for motorcycles in Europe
At home, use car mode. Open the route options via the three dots on the route. There you can enable "Avoid motorways" and "Avoid tolls". Google explicitly recommends this in its help for mopeds and motorcycles under 125 cc. Even with a bigger bike you're then more likely to get country roads instead of motorways.
How does Google Maps know you're riding a motorcycle?
This question comes up very often. The answer is simpler than many think: Google doesn't recognise your motorcycle by itself. The app relies on what you set.
If you plan a route and select the motorcycle or two-wheeler icon, you're telling the app what you're travelling on. The route is calculated on that basis. Anonymised movement data also feeds in, such as typical speeds or riding patterns of two-wheelers in certain regions. This data comes from many users and helps Google keep improving routes.
In two-wheeler mode Google Maps doesn't distinguish between motorcycle, scooter and other motorised two-wheelers. Everything lands in one category.
Important: the app doesn't track you as a motorcyclist, it only responds to your choice in the route planner. Without that choice, Google Maps treats you as a driver or pedestrian depending on the selected mode.
Navigating safely on a motorcycle
Google Maps helps a lot, but you should never concentrate too much on the display. On a motorcycle, safety always comes first. Ideally use voice instructions via a Bluetooth headset in your helmet. That keeps your eyes on the road while you still get clear directions.
Look at the route briefly before setting off, especially on longer tours. Then you already know where tricky junctions or complicated sections are coming. If you ride through areas with poor reception, save the maps offline beforehand. Then navigation works reliably without internet too.
Google Maps or dedicated motorcycle apps?
For everyday use, spontaneous rides and navigating in town, Google Maps is a very good choice. But if you want to plan tours with lots of bends, climbs or special roads, general navigation apps quickly reach their limits. Dedicated motorcycle apps can do more here, for example avoid motorways deliberately or prefer twisty roads.
Many experienced riders therefore use both: Google Maps for quick navigation and planning on the road, a motorcycle app for long tours and holiday trips. That way you get the best of both systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is motorcycle navigation in Google Maps available everywhere?
No. The two-wheeler mode is only available in certain countries, mainly in Asia, Latin America and Africa. It isn't yet available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or the rest of Europe.
Does motorcycle mode work on Android and iPhone?
In principle yes. But the range of features can differ by operating system and region, and updates don't always arrive at the same time on Android and iOS.
Can Google Maps automatically detect that I'm riding a motorcycle?
No. Google Maps only knows you're on a motorcycle if you select the appropriate route mode yourself.
Why does the motorcycle icon sometimes disappear?
Usually because you've ridden into a country where the mode doesn't exist. Within a supported country, app updates or server changes can also be the cause. Then reinstalling the app or clearing its data sometimes helps.
Are there alternatives to Google Maps for motorcyclists?
Yes, there are several dedicated apps that are particularly suitable for tour planning. For everyday use, though, Google Maps remains one of the best solutions.
Summary
Google Maps for motorcycles is an underrated but very practical feature if you ride regularly. If the motorcycle icon is available, for example on holiday in Southeast Asia or Latin America, you get routes better suited to two-wheelers. In Europe the mode doesn't exist yet. Here you're best off with car mode and the options "Avoid motorways" and "Avoid tolls".
If you use Google Maps deliberately and keep your common sense, the app becomes a reliable companion in everyday life and on your next big tour. Whether other navigation systems are better for motorcyclists than Google Maps is covered in another of our articles.
Sources
- Countries and regions supported for two-wheeled vehicles (Google for Developers)
- Get a two-wheeled vehicle route (Google for Developers)
- Designing Google Maps for Motorbikes (Google Design)
- Get directions and show routes (Google Maps Help)
- Download areas and navigate offline (Google Maps Help)
Last checked: September 2026. App features can change.
