Cycling Apps – Help or Hindrance?

With the popularity of cycling rising in Britain, there are now a wide range of cycling apps on offer. From route planning to measuring distance and speed, there’s something for every aspect of cycling, and some have become incredibly popular in the world of bike enthusiasts. However, are these apps useful, or do they actually cause more problems than they solve? We’ve been looking at some different types of apps, and their uses.

Among the most popular apps for cyclists are those that allow users to track their fitness. These apps measure a riders speed and distance across a variety of routes, or segments, using GPS bike computers. Users’ times are then logged in league tables, which enable them to gain points, trophies, or the ultimate accolade of being the fastest rider on their patch. These apps are a great training tool – they can offer real motivation, and targets to work towards.

On the downside, there can be safety concerns associated with this type of app. Cyclists can find themselves sharing a great deal of information about their bikes, and their location, which can lead to bike theft. Police are advising cyclists to be aware of the amount of information that they are giving away through these apps, and also to ensure that they are storing their bike securely. For example, if a cyclist has an expensive bike, it’s worth spending a bit more on a high quality bike lock to ensure its safety.

To address these concerns, cycling app makers are working to ensure that a variety of privacy options are available to their users, in order to keep their personal information safe. For example, some apps now offer a ‘privacy zone’ around a cyclist’s home, office, or other bike storage point. While the app can still display the miles and distance that a user will travel during their journey, the map restricts the view of the last section of the route, avoiding alerting potential burglars to the location of their bike.

Other apps are designed with the purpose of addressing safety concerns. Cycling charity CTC has an app which allows users to store the details of an accident, at the scene. At this stressful time, these prompts can prove useful, to ensure that all relevant information is taken down.

Here at Winn Solicitors we take assisting cyclists at the scene of an accident one step further. If a cyclist wants to make a claim, our app prompts customers to record all of the information from the scene, whilst simultaneously setting up a claim with Winns, in order to gain compensation for an accident. 

In conclusion, apps can be of great benefit to cyclists. Those providing advice and information can often be a sound resource, and a useful tool in event of an accident.

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