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E-bike exchange apps – social networks for cycling enthusiasts
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About e-bike community apps in a nutshell:
- Depending on the community app, you have the option of sharing competition and training activities with the bike, commenting on cycling tours, competing against other users in competitions or arranging tours.
- In the fitness app Strava, for example, bike tours can be shared and documented with detailed texts and pictures. In the route planner and navigation app Komoot, the focus is on planning routes yourself and sharing them.
- In the PowUnity app for GPS theft protection for e-bikes BikeTrax, e-bike routes are automatically recorded. You can then export the routes to fitness apps like Strava or Komoot or share them on social media.
Imagine you’re riding the last stage of your two-week bike tour all alone. How nice would it be if you could share the breathtaking landscapes around you with others? And have applause and support on the finish straight?
No problem with the right app on your mobile phone, even without an audience.
Because with e-bike apps, you can not only change motor settings via your smartphone, record routes or navigate. You can also use them to network with others.
Depending on the app, you have the option, for example, to share competition and training activities. You can comment on tours, compete against other users and exchange information. Virtual community experiences are not enough for you? Then arrange to go on tours together via e-bike apps.
You can get an overview of common community features of apps and their advantages here.
Tip: Want to learn more about e-bike apps and their possibilities? Read our guide “How to find the best e-bike app for your needs”.
From pedelec forum to virtual competition – community features of e-bike apps
Community features of e-bike apps give you the opportunity to exchange ideas with other bikers. How this works differs depending on the app.
The following features are particularly common:
Share routes
An important function for many bikers is the possibility to record routes and share them with others. You are not limited to map views. In the popular fitness app Strava, for example, tours can be documented with detailed texts and pictures. This way, other community members can follow your adventures closely. They can document your posts, ask questions and cheer you on during the last stages of a multi-day tour. At the same time, they get inspiration for their own trips. A real win-win situation.
The route planner and navigation app Komoot also focuses on sharing routes. You decide with whom you share them: with close friends, followers or all members.
Important: The apps listed here are not pure e-bike apps. Both Strava and Komoot are suitable for many sports, from hiking to jogging to cycling. Even whether you’re on an e-bike or S-pedelec doesn’t matter much.
Tip: The users of our GPS anti-theft protection for e-bikes BikeTrax also love to use the automatic route recording of the PowUnity app. It starts and ends automatically and records every metre of your e-bike rides seamlessly and throughout Europe. You can easily export the routes to fitness apps like Strava or Komoot or share them on social media. The article “Route tracking via smartphone” explains everything about route recording with the PowUnity app.
Participate in competitions
Do you like to compete with others? You don’t necessarily have to race. Virtual competitions are an alternative. Strava has segments with leaderboards for this purpose.
If you complete the so-called Strava challenges, for example, if you ride a certain number of kilometres in a given time, you get a badge.
Exchange information about e-bikes
Most e-bike communities also serve to exchange news and information on great bikes and features. You can get tips on planning your route, help with problems with your e-bike or advice on how to get more out of the app. All this is quicker than sending an email to a support team.
Tip: In the newsfeed, the internal forum of the PowUnity app for the GPS tracker BikeTrax, you will receive insider tips on e-bike theft protection and other important topics relating to pedelecs every week.
Arrange offline meetings
Finally, apps can be used to initiate community experiences in the real world. For example, arrange a group ride or meeting with other e-bikers. You might even find long-time companions and new friends this way.
Alternatives to the app – pedelec forums and social networks on the internet
Of course, smartphone apps are not the only place to go for e-bike owners who like to network with others.
Popular alternatives include the following:
Internet forums
In an online forum such as Pedelecs in the UK, e-bikers exchange news on various topics related to S-pedelecs, e-bikes, experiences or components such as motors or batteries. Unlike apps, the focus is often on information about e-bike models or brands. If you are looking for a new bike and would like some advice on buying new bikes or used bikes or want to know more about the technology of e-city oder e-mountain bikes, this is the right place for you. You might even find a new seatpost or sell a pair of tyres on the site. Because sometimes a forum is a community and a flea market in one.
Groups in social networks
Pedelec groups in social networks such as Instagram or Facebook work according to the same principle as internet forums. However, the interaction here is even more spontaneous and direct than that via posts in a forum.
On Facebook, there are many regional e-bike groups where passionate e-bikers meet for the next ride, but also, for example, an e-bike dealer & employee (branch) group exists. You can search and find e-bike exchange groups where you can sell or buy a new bike or used bikes as well as fan community groups to team up with enthusiasts.
Advantages of online networking
Of course, a virtual competition is not the same as a ride with your best friends. Nevertheless, community features of apps open up great opportunities to enjoy your hobby together with others.
- You can quickly and easily connect with people all over the globe.
- You are not alone even if no one accompanies you on your next ride.
- You receive valuable information and inspiration for your route planning.
- Virtual competitions, trophies and leaderboards spur you on to achieve your best cycling performance and help you to fight your inner weakness.
- For repairs, new purchases, used bikes or route planning, you can get expert advice.
Fitness apps like Strava or e-bike apps like the PowUnity app offer a lot more than just community features. Depending on the app, you can, for example, pair the app with a fitness tracker and check your heart rate or calorie consumption on the go. With the PowUnity app and the BikeTrax GPS tracker, you get highly effective theft protection for your expensive bike included. Other e-bike apps help you with maintenance.
Would you like to know which fitness trackers can track your e-bike rides and can be linked to your e-bike app? You can find all information about fitness tracker types and features in our article “Fitness tracker e-bike – making your training even more effective”.
Info: Discover our wide range of articles on e-bike apps and smart biking on our “PowUnity explains” webpage.
Smart technology brings people together
Community features are now an essential part of many fitness route planning and navigation apps. It is not for nothing that these call themselves social networks for outdoor or sports enthusiasts.
In fact, forums, virtual competitions or sharing and commenting on routes open up new possibilities for interaction with others – even if you are alone on your e-bike. Whether you are looking for inspiration or want to compete with others, all you need is a smartphone and the right app. It doesn’t replace offline contact, but it complements it.
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