Google Trike Will Come to the National Mall

Back in October, when we here at ATM first heard that Google was looking for suggestions on where it should send its Google Trike next, we asked you to join us in nominating the National Mall. The Mall, after all, is the Smithsonian's front yard, with most of the museums located along its grassy stretch between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument.

A month later, the Mall made a short list of finalists, including trails, university campuses, theme parks and zoos, pedestrian malls and landmarks.

Now, I am happy to report that the tricycle, with its street-view camera mounted on it, will be coming our way!

Voters in Google's online poll chose the National Mall as winner of the National Landmarks category. Winners in the other categories include the Rochester Institute of Technology, Boulder Creek Path in Boulder, Colorado, Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston and the Detroit Zoo.

I have been told that Google will now work with the National Park Service to secure permissions and arrange a time for the Trike to visit. Photos taken during its ride on the paths around the Mall will allow Google Maps to document the area, as it has done for other pedestrian-only areas like the Monterrey coastal bike path and the Santa Monica Pier.

Thanks for hearing our call for the Mall!

Megan Gambino | | READ MORE

Megan Gambino is a senior web editor for Smithsonian magazine.