Strava’s Beacon, a location sharing characteristic, is now free for all customers

Solo rides simply obtained just a little bit safer. Strava, the favored fitness app amongst runners and cyclists, has made one in every of its prime options free to non-paying customers. Whether or not or not you’re a subscriber, Strava’s Beacon allows you to hit the path with peace of thoughts.

Beacon is now free for all customers

Behind many distance-training athletes is somebody questioning after they’ll be residence for dinner. With Beacon, customers can share real-time location updates with trusted contacts, making ETAs accessible and serving to athletes keep secure. Earlier than as we speak, this characteristic was solely accessible to paid subscribers. Now, any of the 90 million athletes utilizing Strava can make the most of Beacon without charge on the cell app.

As a security measure, it looks as if a no brainer that Beacon could be universally accessible, and we’re pleased to see Strava agrees. This information follows latest updates to Strava’s Edit Exercise and Edit Map Visibility features, all of which emphasize Strava’s dedication to athletes’ security.

We haven’t been thrilled with how Strava managed its membership options up to now, however that is positively a step in the proper course.

How Strava Beacon location sharing works

Beacon permits athletes to let family members know they’re secure and sound whereas coaching. The concept is straightforward. Chosen security contacts check-in on a bike owner or runner’s location and ensure nothing appears amiss. For instance, if a exercise is taking longer than anticipated, they’ll use Beacon to find out whether or not they should attain out. Are you probably harm, or did you simply make a pit cease on the drug retailer? Does your location present you stalled someplace odd, or are you almost residence?

Beacon eliminates the guesswork. It generates a randomized URL that may work on any net browser and permit family members to maintain tabs. Strava customers select as much as three security contacts who might be notified robotically every time they document, or they’ll select to ship out the URL manually through textual content message. Both means, the wonder is that recipients don’t have to log in to Strava or set up the app. They will merely open the hyperlink and immediately entry reside location sharing. Which means even your least tech-savvy buddy will probably be capable of handle.

Relying on cell service, your location will replace each 15 seconds or so, letting your mates or household the place you might be and the way your exercise is progressing.

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Who nonetheless must pay?

There are nonetheless a number of exceptions to the freebie. Whereas Strava’s Beacon location sharing is now free to all customers on the cell app, it should stay a paid characteristic on units such because the Apple Watch or Garmin bike computer systems. If you wish to use Beacon however are dedicated to understanding with out your telephone, you should still have to spring for that Strava subscription in any case.