The developers of popular running and cycling app Strava have announced a new safety feature for premium members that lets users broadcast their location in real time to friends and family.
The new feature, called Beacon, means runners and cyclists can now share their whereabouts with select contacts, who can then easily locate them if they don't return from their workout when expected or in the event of an emergency, for example.
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"Let's say it's 3:30, you said you'd be home at 3:00 and you're not moving towards home," said Ethan Hollinshead, Senior Product Manager on Strava's blog. "That's a good indication that they should reach out to you and see what's up. Maybe you stopped for a coffee, or maybe you got a flat tire. Where it's really designed to help the cyclist or runner is in that peace of mind scenario – to keep people from unnecessarily worrying about you."
According to Strava, selected contacts don't need to be users of the app. Rather, the app sends a text message to the contacts that includes a secure web link showing the user's location on a map, allowing them to track the user's progress in real time.
Once premium users have updated the app, the Beacon feature will appear in the lower right of the New Run or Ride screen. A tap of the Beacon icon lets users choose up to three safety contacts who will receive their location when they confirm to send the text.
Strava Running and Cycling is a free download available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct Link] A premium Strava membership costs $6 per month.
Top Rated Comments
You: yeah, didn't get off the couch. Stop nagging me.
Damn dude, you've been listening to too much fear-mongering! Think mechanical malfunction on a bike ride, or a fall and injury on a trail run. Or the dreaded "return home after ride and realize iPhone fell out of your bag".
Real nice response. So I cite one very valid, positive, potential lifesaving aspect of this technology and you have the gall to criticize me for it? Must be all sunshine, rainbows and kittens where you're from.(Glad you're not looking out for my safety.)
Nice feature but Strava looks cynical for making it extra cost. At the least they should allow one free contact just for "good will."
Strava premium is geared mostly to cyclists and triathletes who like to compete on segments. It's worth the pricing imo. Many of us our out riding for HOURS!Many of us already have a Garmin device that comes with garmin live but honestly it doesn't work well. It often disconnects .
Good for strava
I'm surprised nobody else has said this but...
It's about convenience. Not many people use find my friends and not all cyclists use an iPhone.Find My Friends?
It's completely free, and you're not limited to just 3 contacts. Either way it's an app on your iPhone that's using GPS to send your current location... the only real difference is that Find my Friends requires the person you're sharing your location with to have an iCloud account.