New York City creates a Google Maps layer to fix the Big Apple’s bathroom issue

If you have a serious back condition like me, or you have an issue with your prostate (if male), or some other condition that has you looking for a bathroom every five minutes, a trip to New York City can be daunting. The last time I was in the Big Apple, even McDonald’s limited the use of the lone bathroom inside the fast food restaurant. Some places restrict the use of their bathroom to customers and some won’t let anyone outside of their employees use their toilet.

New York City’s Google Maps layer shows the location of 1,000 public bathrooms in the five boroughs

Knowing that the bathrooms are being run by the aforementioned organizations brings hope that they will be cleaned regularly. The layer was just updated on June 3rd, 2024, and will be updated throughout the year. Keep in mind that Google has nothing to do with this map which is available on your phone. The map shows public bathroom locations in parks, libraries, privately owned public spaces, public plazas, and locations that have to do with NYC mass transit.

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Needing to find a bathroom in a hurry is something that we’ve all had to deal with at one time or another. But if you have a medical condition that doesn’t give you the ability to wait for a public toilet, using your phone to find a public bathroom right near you is a godsend.