The best apps for planning a cycling route
Are you a cycling enthusiast looking for the best apps to plan your bike routes? You've come to the right place! In the increasingly connected world of cycling, dedicated apps offer a diverse range of features to enhance your riding experience, whether for daily urban commutes or outdoor adventures.
In this article, we'll take a look together at the best bike routing apps for a day or a trip, guiding you through a carefully chosen selection of GPS platforms, mapping, and navigation tools.
Whether you're an amateur cyclist in search of new scenic routes or a competitor looking to optimize your performance, these apps are designed to meet your specific needs.
Discover how these applications, whether focused on navigation, training or detailed maps, can transform your cycling outings into unforgettable experiences. Ready to pedal towards new horizons? Let us guide you through the best bike route apps available on the market today.
Strava 🚴♀️: The app for performance-oriented cyclists
Come on, get out your smartphone and put on your Bluetooth headset, it's time to talk about Strava, the darling app of many a cyclist. If you've got an irresistible urge to track your rides, analyze your performance and brag a little (we don't judge), Strava is for you! 🤓
📈 Track and analyze your perfs like a pro
Strava literally turns your phone into a control center for your bike. You can track your performance live, measure speed, distance and even your heart rate, all thanks to this little technological marvel. 🥰
Already have a GPS device or connected watch? Perfect! Strava works with a multitude of devices. We're talking Garmin, Fitbit, Polar... and the list goes on. 🌟
🤝 Strava Social Club: Sharing, kudos and a bit of competition
Strava is also a social network for cycling fanatics. Share your rides and workouts, receive kudos (always fun, isn't it?), and comment on your friends' exploits. Come on, admit it, you've always wanted to show off that photo of you at the top of the hill with your bike, haven't you? 😎
🌍 Routes that rock: Discover hidden treasures and compete with the community
Tired of the same old routes? Strava has just what you need. With an unparalleled database of routes, discover bike paths and trails that make you want to pedal until dawn.
The coolest part? Segments! These small stretches of road or path allow you to measure yourself against other cyclists. It's the little extra that will make you pedal even harder! 🚀 You can also send your route to your GPS computer.
📍 Beacon, the guardian angel of your outings
Don't neglect safety! With the Beacon function, share your position in real time with your loved ones. It's like having a guardian angel on every outing. 🙌
📲 How do I get started?
Available on Android and iOS, installing Strava is child's play. Once downloaded, sync it with your devices and you're all set. So what are you waiting for?
Komoot 🗺️ : The expert in outdoor itineraries and routes
Did you like Strava? Great! But wait, we haven't explored all the nuggets of cycling apps yet. Let's set a course for Komoot, your next outdoor route guide. 🌳
🌲 Tailor-made itineraries for every adventure
Planning your next outing has never been easier. Whether you're looking for competitive mountain bike trails or a leisurely bike ride, Komoot's advanced planning tool has something to satisfy you (Satisfy? No, wow! 💥). The great thing is that you can share your bike route with your friends.
The app offers you personalized topographical routes, tailored to your desires and skill level. You'll get an overview of terrain conditions, road surface and route type! 🚴♀️
📱 Komoot voice navigation, your digital compass
If you like to get off the beaten track without risking getting lost, Komoot's voice navigation tool is your best ally. And for the adventurous without a connection, offline maps are there for you (Because you don't always have Wi-Fi when hiking, do you?). 🗺️
📸 Share your adventures and inspire the community
When you think of adventure, you think of memories! With Komoot, share your photos, stories and favorite places with a community of explorers just like you. 🌟
🌍 Handpicked itineraries for every corner of the globe
Looking for something new to do? Komoot offers you a plethora of itineraries, whether you're in the heart of the mountains or in the city. In just a few clicks, find an already mapped out route for your next outing. 🌏
📲 Komoot on Android and iOS: how does it work?
It's as simple as that! Download Komoot from your favorite App Store, Android or iOS, and off you go! (No need to be a smartphone genius, even my grandma could do it! 😜) 🚀
Geovelo 📍 : Tailor-made GPS for cyclists
With Geovelo, you're not only choosing safe cycling routes, you're also helping to improve urban mobility. The application has partnered with a number of regions, from Pau to Paris, to make cities more cyclist-friendly.
🛣️ Safe itineraries and social impact
Geovelo creates tailor-made routes according to your bike type, while avoiding risky areas (slaloming between cars isn't all that fun... 🚗). Every kilometer you ride helps collect useful data to improve your city's bike lanes.
📊 Statistics, challenges and practical features
Track your ecological impact with personalized statistics and take on challenges for greener driving. What's more, the app helps you find the nearest bike parking and repair points (with Lokki to find bike rental companies, you've got everything you need! 😉 ).
📲 Geovelo, available on Android and iOS
Download the app from your favorite App Store, Android or iOS, and start riding with confidence (and saving the world, one pedal stroke at a time 🌍).
Cyclemeter 🕒 : Your phone becomes a supercomputer for cycling
Cyclemeter turns your mobile into a real fitness powerhouse for cyclists. (Yes, it's like having a personal trainer in your pocket! 🤓)
📊 A plethora of statistics for detail junkies
Tracking over 250 different statistics, Cyclemeter gives you all the data you could ever want. From speed to heart rate to intervals, it's all here. (If that doesn't motivate you to pedal faster, we don't know what will! 🚴♂️)
🗺️ Worry-free navigation: forget detours and find the perfect café
For those who tend to get lost (yes, we see you! 😘), Cyclemeter integrates with both Apple Maps and Google Maps. No more excuses for not finding that bike-friendly café on the other side of town!
👟 More than just a bike app
The cool thing about Cyclemeter is that the app isn't just about cycling. It can also track other activities like running, walking or hiking. (For those who like to vary the pleasures, or who have really, really active days! 🏃♀️🚴♂️🚶♀️)
🗣️ Voice activation with Siri: Because your hands are made for handlebars
Don't interrupt your run to fiddle with your phone. Use Siri to control Cyclemeter with ease. ("Hey Siri, how many calories did I burn?" Spoiler: probably not enough for this donut. 🍩)
📲 Available on iPhone and Apple Watch
Got an Apple Watch? Leave your iPhone at home and use your watch to track your sessions. (And if someone asks you the time, you'll not only be able to tell them, but also how many kilometers you've covered! ⌚)
Download Cyclemeter on iOS here.
Download Cyclemeter on Android here.
Google Maps 🗺️: The classic for city navigation
Google Maps isn't just for cars and public transport - it's also got a function for cyclists!
With just one click, get cycling routes that avoid congested roads. You can locate points of interest such as :
- bike stations
- repair stores,
- or nice cafés along the way.
- (For bike rentals, it doesn't get much better than Lokki 😉)
Available on Android and iOS, all you have to do is activate bike mode and you're ready to explore. If your phone doesn't have this app yet, now's the time to download it! 🚴♀️🚴♂️
There's an app for every cyclist 🚴♂️: find yours!
The best cycling apps will help you plan a route, train effectively, repair your bike and much more. There are a multitude of apps aimed at cyclists, with new ones appearing all the time, sometimes making it difficult to distinguish between the good and not-so-good options.
For some apps - like Google Maps, for example - you need to attach your device to your handlebars to take full advantage of their benefits. For others, like Strava, you simply launch the app, put your phone in your jersey pocket or on a bike phone mount and off you go.
What's more, with the advent of Bluetooth accessories such as heart rate monitors, speed sensors and power meters, it's possible to put your smartphone's Bluetooth connection and processor to work, something that used to require a separate computer and, not so long ago, wires.
Some of the apps presented here are free, others are not, and some are free to start with with the option of buying or subscribing to get more functionality.
Warning: any GPS-based cycling app will put a strain on your phone's battery, so they're generally best suited to shorter rides, unless you can recharge along the way. The best bike computers have a much longer battery life.
For City Aces 🏙️
Are you the type to slalom between cars and know every urban shortcut? Google Maps GPS is your best friend. Clever itineraries, real-time information, and the city becomes your playground!
For Trail Adventurers 🌲
If you're a trail adventurer, then the Komoot app is for you. Planning, discovery, adventure - it's like having a personal guidebook in your pocket.
For the Pedaling Pros 🏆
Do you live to beat your own record? The Strava app is here to help you track every pedal stroke, every adrenaline rush. Measure your performance, share your exploits and climb the virtual podium!
For Connected Greenies 🌍
Do you pedal with an eye on your carbon footprint? Geovelo is your ally. Safe routes and a positive impact on the environment, it's the GPS for those who want to ride green.
For handlebar geeks 🤓
Finally, if you love numbers as much as your bike, the Cyclemeter app will turn your smartphone into a cycling supercomputer. Statistics, maps, performance tracking... you'll have everything you need to pedal smarter.
That's our Lokki selection just for you! So, ready to find the app that will transform your cycling? We bet you're already downloading it! 🚴♀️💨