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how many people will actually use something like this?

More people, simply because it exists.

This is great for the Google Maps walking feature. Assuming they are gather gps data for these bicycle paths. This should enhance the walking feature to give it more specific and direct directions for being on foot or bike. The visual data is useful for cyclists to check road conditions. (I use street view to ensure that roads aren't dirt roads.)

In the DC area there are various trails that you can use to bike to work (or other recreational uses) however it is hard to actually map you route or see if there is a cut through between a parallel road and the trail. I would use this right now if I could.

There's a service called Cyclopath operated by the University of Minnesota that's doing exactly that, albeit only for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

I used streetview for a trip recently, I had the whole neighborhood around the places I was going mapped out in my mind from day one. It felt like I returned to a place I already knew. Pretty cool. Paths will only add to that.