Counting steps for Cycling!

[Smellie32]

So I have had my Fitbit for 6+ months. As I have researched issues, I have noticed that many people have struggles with not being able to count steps while cycling, I to get frustrated with this. Being a triathlete and competitive, want all my steps to count. What I don't understand is how after a few years of Fitbit knowing this is an issue, why have they not come up with a solution? It is more motivating when all your activities count as steps so when you are competing against friends on the Fitbit app that you feel you have a chance. I think Fitbit needs to expand their horizon to not only motivating customers to walk and run but all sports. Swimming and biking are my 2 favorites. 

[t.parker]

@Rich_Laue "Depending on how intense the cycling is, 10,000 steps is considered equivalent to 15 - 18 miles. " - you said "is considered" (by who I should ask) which implies this is some fact that you may know a source of. After all, it's just "considered" by you, so it's your guestimate.

Comparing calories may and may not work. HR tends to be lower on bike for the same work (this isn't guess but fact confirmed with measuring power outputs). Fitbit bases calories on HR. For the same HR you may in fact burn more calories on one on another. Roughly, it could be done but nothing "is considered". Separate own opinions from facts.

[Rich_Laue]

Do a quick google you find most sights agree. Haven't seen any data to back it up, and as you say, it depends on intensity. 

BTW fitbit doesn't include bike steps with challenges. 

[t.parker]

@Rich_Laue Google for what when there are no any data? You are throwing random numbers. Not convincing. You can't make an equivalent between steps and cycling distance - it isn't possible regardless of intensity. Cycled distance will depend mostly on elevation (intensity is something you apply, elevation is just there). One time you'll do 3mi climbing only up and another time 10mi on a flat surface and it's kind of a stretch to give numbers how many steps would any of those distances be. Mathematically, it isn't feasible to match cycling distance with steps (unless you have evidence then I can change my mind). It is also complicated if you try to convert the level of effort into steps (but doable by dividing time into shorter time segments) because you need to match walking/running cadence with a certain range of HR. Those ranges could be obtained by some calibration walk/run. The smaller cadence/HR zones, the more accurate effort estimation. The conversion would have to be done based on individual calibration. But even that isn't perfect and ideally, power conversion would be a lot better because HR on the bike will show different behaviour than during walk/run. On a bike, when you increase cadence the HR goes up but if you keep the same power you're not using more energy (you are using more oxygen but it isn't the same, you still doing the same work, can't cheat laws of thermodynamics). Even HR zones for cycling often are defined differently than for running because of different lactate thresholds. Looking at calories burnt (especially among untrained people) will deliver false conversion, it isn't feasible either. And there are no magic numbers for steps and cycling distance conversion, don't believe everything you Google unless it's backed with good research and evidence. "10,000 steps is considered equivalent to 15 - 18 miles" - this statement is an error and false. As well you could say "10,000 steps is considered the equivalent of eating 10-12 doughnuts" - it has the same value.

[simcoe]

For cycling (and using a Cubii under my desk), I put my Fitbit around my ankle. It counts the "pumps" as steps. I switched the strap to the larger size that came with the fitbit. Works great. Have been doing it this way for years.