Google’s street-level mapping service hit some privacy bumps on its recent UK launch; now it’s going off-road. The Street View Trike packs the same 3D camera usually mounted on Google’s road-travelling Vauxhall Astra cars, but it’s instead fixed on a three-wheeled bike designed to negotiate footpaths and dirt tracks.

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It’s a hook-up with tourism agency VisitBritain, which - unlike those who complained about invasion of privacy recently - has courted Google (NSDQ: GOOG) to map UK castles, coastal paths, natural wonders, historic buildings and monuments, and sports stadia this summer.

Together, they will poll the public for map candidates in each category, with a second poll resulting in the three locations the trike will visit first. The bike is starting out in Genoa, Italy, but Google says: “Due to operational factors such as light levels and the weather (and what could be a pretty tired cyclist), the trike will only be in the UK for a limited time during the summer.” See more pics here...