Top Best Most Useful Paid and Free Smartphone cycling apps for iPhone 2017

Bicycling can be a leisurely way to see the sights, or a strenuous workout. Whether you put your bike through the wringer several times a week or merely want something to help track your favorite routes, there is an app to help.

Cycling is good for your cardiovascular health, good for lower body muscular endurance, and even good for brain health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that adults get 150 minutes of “moderate-intensity aerobic activity” per week, along with strength training twice per week.

Bike Hub Cycle Journey Planner

 Android rating:

Free

If you’re in the U.K. or Ireland, this app offers features that most cycling apps don’t. In particular, you can spot local cycling shops within riding distance of your home or route. According to the app’s designers, Bike Hub works to find the quickest routes from point A to point B, making it super useful for people who use their bike to commute.

Bike Repair

There are all sorts of things that can go wrong with your bicycle, and if you’re not mechanically inclined, you could find yourself stranded halfway through your route with no help in sight. The Bike Repair app is a must-have. You’ll find photo repair guides that can help you fix the most common bike problems. The app also features cycling news and the ability to find information specific to your bike model.

Bikemap

If you’re curious where other cyclists in your area are riding, Bikemap can connect you with more than 1.6 million routes around the world. This is especially valuable if you’re a traveler or new to an area. The app also tracks elevation, distance, workout duration, and pace.

CAA Bike Safety App

Bicycling safety isn’t only a concern for cyclists; drivers too must do their part to keep bikers safe on the road. The CAA Bike Safety App is an educational app for both drivers and their two-wheeled counterparts. You can learn about the rules of the road and test yourself with a quiz. This could be especially valuable for new drivers as they prepare to take their licensing examination.

Cyclemeter

The features of Cyclemeter are too many to list. In addition to mapping your routes, you’ll get access to charts that show your progress over time, training plans that help you prep for that long race, and terrain and weather overlays that help you analyze your rides. If you have an Apple Watch, you can sync with Cyclemeter to get even more detailed feedback.

Map My Ride

When cycling, sometimes you follow a predetermined route. Other times, you go where the mood takes you. With Map My Ride, you can get the detailed breakdown of your session no matter where you go, with automatic mapping and tracking of your routes, pace information, calories burned, elevation details, and more. You can also sync the app with others, such as MyFitnessPal, to pair up your diet and exercise tracking for ultimate goal achievement.

Runkeeper

Despite its name, Runkeeper isn’t just for runs. If you cycle, walk, or even roller-skate, Runkeeper can help track your route. In addition to tracking your routes, pace, and workout details, this app lets you set goals such as weight loss or “challenge myself,” to keep things interesting. You can use it to schedule your workouts too and see how you’re progressing, with detailed charts and reports.

Strava

Like many of the apps on our list, Strava is versatile and can be used for cycling or running. We like the social aspect of the app — you can join in challenges and compare your progress against that of your friends, share your routes and achievements on social media, and motivate other users with notes of encouragement. You can also set weekly mileage goals to help push your fitness to the next level.