Human creativity rarely gets the chance to take hold of a tool like GPS and run with it. Its simple premise—locating a receiver on the earth’s surface with great precision—expands into seemingly limitless possibilities in a wide variety of fields. Bicyclists, both professional and recreational, have taken a particular interest in GPS tracking, especially since developers learned how to make devices small and light enough to carry while riding a bike. In Minnesota, public bike trails are becoming even more enjoyable with the implementation of a GPS-powered mobile bike repair shop. It’s just one example of how GPS is making biking safer and more fun for everyone.
The GPS Tune-Up Bike
Many city and county bicycle trails are patrolled by police officers or hired professionals who keep a lookout for riders who get into trouble. But when a bike tire blows out, the unfortunate rider doesn’t know where on the trail that professional might be—or which direction to walk in order to find them. A Minnesota-based company came up with an idea for making trailside assistance more useful. They fitted a mobile bike repair unit with a GPS tracker, then made its location data available to riders through a smartphone application. In the event of a breakdown, a cyclist can pull up the map, see exactly where the repair bike is, and calculate how long they will have to wait for help. The bike repair unit—itself a bike ridden by a trained bicycle repair technician—carries all the tools and equipment necessary for quick repairs and tune-ups on the side of the trail.
As long as there is no emergency such as injury or criminal activity, simply knowing where the repair bike is on the trail makes a big difference to stranded riders. They can continue to enjoy their day while waiting for help, rather than wondering when or if they will be able to get a new tire or brakes. With future developments, we can envision GPS adding even more capabilities to this project: allowing riders to send a GPS-tracked distress signal, for example.
Safety Devices
The GPS tune-up bike is certainly not the only safety device that has been designed for bicyclists. The following products help bike owners prevent theft, avoid getting lost, and keep in touch with others while riding in remote areas:
| Product | Manufacturer | Purpose | Price |
| SpyBike | Integrated Trackers | Broadcasts location of bike to web-based map if it is stolen | $152.58 |
| Edge Touring | Garmin | Full-color navigator specially designed for bicycle use | $249.99 |
| BikeSpike (available winter 2013) | BikeSpike | Sends live data during ride and alerts contacts in case of a crash | $129.00 |
GPS enabled devices are still relatively expensive for the casual bicyclist, but many products combine features. For example, the BikeSpike is effective as a tracker while on a bike ride and also as an anti-theft device. As technology advances, many experts expect prices for such devices to fall.
Bicycling Enhancements
For athletes and serious bicyclists, there is a dizzying array of tools to keep track of bike ride data. During a workout or training session, a bicyclist’s GPS device can record:
- Distance traveled
- Time elapsed (including splits for miles, laps, or other designated lengths)
- Calories burned and heart rate
- Elevation change
- Temperature, humidity, and other weather conditions
- Pace per mile/kilometer
- Personal records
- Other specialized data, customized to each rider’s preferences
In addition, these devices come in different forms. Some clip directly between the handlebars, allowing the cyclist to safely view the display without losing sight of the road ahead. More advanced models feature voice activation for making hands-free changes to the device’s settings. Watches, chest straps, and arm bands for monitoring heart rate are also available. Following a workout, the data is uploaded to a website where the user can compare past rides and make changes to his training schedule.
GPS and Bikes: A Natural Fit
It’s easy to see why bicyclists, from Tour de France competitors to seniors looking for some enjoyable exercise, are attracted to GPS applications. Expert riders can enjoy levels of record-keeping that have never been possible before, and casual bikers can protect their property and make sure that someone gets notified if they get stuck or hurt while riding. The GPS tune-up bike in Minnesota only operated during the summer, but our bet is that we will see similar projects appear across the country next summer. And as GPS devices become smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more convenient, yet more applications for bicyclists will appear.
GPS Makes Biking Safer and More Enjoyable
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