Do You Record Your Commute? How Garmin and Strava Might Predict New Mobility Trends

Garmin’s recent data reveals a significant rise in cycling activities worldwide, with Belgium standing out as a top performer in terms of miles logged per capita​ (Garmin). This surge is a testament to Belgium’s strong cycling culture, where urban mobility and cycling infrastructure are well-integrated into daily life.

However, the data leaves an important gap unaddressed—how many of these rides are for commuting? As more people cycle for fitness and leisure, the lack of clarity on commuting rides points to an opportunity for deeper insights that could highlight the potential impact of bike and e-bikes in reducing car dependence in cities.

Strava allows users to label rides as commutes through its Strava Metro tool, which aggregates anonymized commute data for urban planners and researchers. However, users rarely take advantage of this feature, often overlooking the option to tag their commutes. This results in an incomplete picture of cycling behavior in urban areas. A clearer understanding of commuting patterns—if better tracked—could support investments in infrastructure that foster sustainable transportation options.

As Belgium tops the charts for miles per capita, and with urban centers rapidly shifting toward greener mobility solutions, capturing and leveraging commute data is vital. Companies like Garmin and Strava might very well hold the keys to providing a clearer picture of cycling’s role in urban mobility, if users can be encouraged to consistently record and categorize their commutes. This data could drive smarter transportation planning and further elevate bikes as essential tools in the future of urban transport.

Do you record your commute? How can these companies improve their commute trackings? Let us know below