This is
the first of a series of posts on the topic of Strava – I thought it was a good
place to start as a lot of cyclists use it and a significant chunk of my thesis
was devoted to it. Just to be clear, I am NOT anti Strava, I am an avid user
and have been since 2012, I upload my rides daily and as a
training aid (which is what I mainly use it for) I think it is an excellent
tool. MyStrava What I am aware of however, and what my research has revealed is that
Strava usage is having an effect on the social world of racing cyclists. As a
sociologist it is these effects that I am particularly interested in and what I
will try to explain them here and in upcoming blogs.
The ever growing popularity of Strava with cyclists at all levels of participation has continued
to increase during the course of my research, and it is now available in
thirteen languages and according to their own website, Strava receives over three million
uploads per week globally (Strava, 2016). The billions of anonymised data points
generated through Strava usage have the potential to provide a unique
perspective on cycling behaviour, particularly in urban areas. Examination of this data in future research
will no doubt provide
valuable insights to advocacy groups, urban
planners, local government and anyone who has an interest in improving cycling
infrastructure and promoting cycling as an activity.
An article in The Daily Telegraph in
2013 when discussing Strava commented that:
‘The internet: (Strava) worst thing to happen to cycling in years’.
This article was based on some research presented to the 2013 Royal Geographical Society conference which revealed that Strava changes how and where people ride and how they engage with their surroundings.
‘The internet: (Strava) worst thing to happen to cycling in years’.
This article was based on some research presented to the 2013 Royal Geographical Society conference which revealed that Strava changes how and where people ride and how they engage with their surroundings.
As many readers will be
aware the impact of Strava is also a regular topic of discussion in the popular
cycling magazines and there can be little doubt that Strava has had a
significant effect. Strava has polarised opinion within the cycling community and in the
cycling media, illustrated in the following comment from BBC journalist Leo
Kelion in 2013:
The app
(Strava) is either the best thing to happen to training in years, or it
transforms users into inconsiderate egotists more concerned about topping
online leader boards than road safety.
The co-founder of Strava, Michael Horvath was
quoted by Kelion on the BBC News website as stating that 'the core of Strava is
the storytelling and social aspect, which connects athletes'. Horvath elaborated further on the social aspect of Strava by confirming
its potential to change behaviour.
What we
wanted to do is connect you with other people so you don’t feel so alone, even
when you’re training alone. If you can see yourself relative to other folks and
you know your workout is going to be exposed to them after you’re done, it’s
going to motivate you.
As McMahon (2015) recently commented in Cycling Weekly, Strava
and the implications of its use has the potential to shape cycling
participation in a wide range of contexts.
Whether you actively resist it, are a regular user
or upload even the two-mile commute to work most cyclists would agree that
since its 2009 release Strava has become one of the most significant
technological and social innovations cycling has seen.
As part of
my research I interviewed 149 racing cyclists and asked them about the effect
of Strava and I will be including some of their anonymised comments in later
blogs. The comment below captures well the influence of Strava participation.
Once Strava came along everything changed. The ability to compare yourself to people who you didn’t even know, and be able to plan your ride as an attempt to go out and beat their times was quite revolutionary. (Sam [name changed] a self-described fitness cyclist interview response)
So it’s
pretty clear then that Strava (Swedish for strive by the way) is having an impact: But why? and How? –
hopefully my next blog will start to provide some answers
No comments
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.