Best Cycling Apps For Commuters & Touring

Our Favourite Cycling Apps: Bike Ride Apps for Navigation and Safety

Cycling apps can be incredibly handy. From planning routes to learning about routes from others who have shared theirs to getting help while enroute, these nifty pieces of technology can be an excellent companion on the road.

While you may be spoiled for choice for available biking apps, some stand out better than the rest. In terms of functionality, cost and ease of use, we’ve curated a list of noteworthy apps for you to consider using. 

Great for commuters looking for new or safer routes and great for tourers and leisure riders looking for some adventures. Also great in lockdown to explore your local area and get some inspiration from where others ride!

Navigation Apps

Strava

Play Store: 4.4/668k

App Store: 4.7/35k

Free with In-App Purchases

Strava is not a dedicated bike ride app however, and in part because of its multi-purpose, the features it packs quickly made it a favourite among the bike riding community. You can record your routes and map your favourite trails while analysing your ride with comprehensive statistics. It also syncs with the main fitness wearables such as Garmin, Fitbit etc. From distance, pace, speed, and elevation, to your total calories burned, this app records your key statistics so you can track your overall progress. A favourite for those who like to track how they are going or are training for something.

Map My Ride

Play Store: 4.6/168k

App Store: 4.8/181k

Free with In-App Purchases

This fitness app lets you track and map every ride while getting feedback and statistics to help you perform better. More cycling-specific than Strava you can share your favourite routes and see the favourites of other riders. It also lets you sync your data with fitness wearables, such as Garmin, Fitbit, etc and provides feedback and statistics on your ride and performance. Whether you’re just getting started out in cycling or training for a major event, it has some handy features and tools.

Ride with GPS

Play Store: 4.3/9k

Free with In-App Purchases

This bike route planner and turn-by-turn voice navigation app lets you plan, navigate, track, record, and share your routes. The printable multi-day route planning offers options for multiple map styles, including satellite and street views, to ensure that you’re getting the best route every time. Useful features such as real-time elevation tracking, custom waypoints, and custom cues make this app highly popular among biking organisations and tourers.

Komoot

Play Store: 4.6/190k

App Store: 4.8/2.5k

Free with In-App Purchases

Another favourite for explorers and tourers, this provides intuitive route planning and navigation. Whether you’re looking for asphalt tracks or natural trails, Komoot will give you in-depth details about your upcoming ride. You can choose from hand-picked guides from your local community or plan your own journey. This app boasts its capacity to deliver the richest topographical data for its users so you can visualise your route ahead and eliminate unpleasant surprises.

Biking Resources

Rain Alarm

Play Store: 4.3/42k

App Store: 4.3/63

Free with In-App Purchases

Nobody wants to get caught in the rain if you can avoid it. This weather app lets you know of impending rain which can give you the chance to find shelter mid-ride or make plans based on the forecast. Based on short-term, real-time data, it is a very handy tool! This app relays animated Doppler-radar images from global weather services and sends alerts for every type of precipitation, including hail.

Windy.com

 

Free 

High winds or headwinds are the bane of any cycling trip and can also have a huge impact on battery usage.  This weather app lets you know of impending weather, wind speeds, directions, present and forecast in an interactive map. Based on short-term, real-time data and drawing from very sophisticated forecasts, it is another handy tool. 

First Aid for Cyclists

Free

This app offers the latest first aid protocols for dealing with emergencies. Its easy-to-follow instructions come with visual guides and voice instructions. From asthma attacks and fractures to traffic accidents and unresponsiveness. While we prefer not to have these sorts of issues while out riding it is a must-have app in the event that you do. 

Create Your Own Route with Google Maps

Whether you’re after a leisurely ride within town or after an adventure away from beaten paths, Google Maps is one the best free online mapping apps you can use.

It’s best to plan your route from the computer and sync it afterwards into your mobile app.

Set Your Starting Point

Set Waypoints

Set Your Destination

You can choose to include more than one waypoint. And if you set your last destination as the same location as your starting point, you create your own bike loop.

Switch to Bike Mode

Bike Mode View

Switching to bike mode gives you access to bike-specific map information.

Adjust Your Route

You can drag the points in the map to change your path to more bike-friendly roads.

Send Directions to Your Mobile

Google Maps may not be a dedicated bike ride tracking app and is missing extra features that dedicated navigational apps have. Regardless, it’s still one of the most accurate and reliable GPS-based navigation apps available.

Start Your Own Adventure

Get the best out of your electric bike by using these apps to help create new routes, safer routes or to plan your next multi-day adventure. the perfect app. Take your adventures to greater lengths and heights. Push harder and further, while staying safe.

If you are looking for more inspiration then see our articles on Long-Distance Riding Tips and Touring Tips from some of our EBB touring pros. 

If you’re looking to purchase your first or your next bike, Electric Bikes Brisbane has an excellent selection of top quality ebikes to suit a variety of needs and budgets.