Additional Measurements

[RBHJR1954]

Adapt the Fitbit to measure leg movements while bicycle riding so that these movements count toward fitness.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @RBHJR1954. 

Thank you for sharing this information about counting leg movements while bicycle riding. 

Fitbit devices have a finely-tuned algorithm for step counting. The algorithm is designed to look for intensity and motion patterns that are most indicative of people walking and running. However, I recommend that you vote for this idea posted in the Feature Suggestion board of the Community: Bicycling conversion to steps. This section is constantly reviewed by the team of developers and it helps them to keep track of popularity and demand over time. 

If you have a different idea, make sure to poste your suggestion here as detailed as possible. 

Have a great day. 

[charleskn]

Given that the hands are relatively motionless while riding a bicycle, I would expect that a Fitbit couldn't really track this.

There are devices (power meters) made that are specifically meant to track cycling stats.

[DavideFitbit]

Thank you for sharing, @charleskn!  

[emili]

I think at the root of it, the fitbit is a pedometer which is strictly steps. However, you can start a cycling activity that will monitor you heartrate and calories all through the session. there are other posts related to this where folks gave creative places to put your fitbit so it thinks you are stepping, you may want to explore the boards a bit more. 

[t.parker]

@RBHJR1954 what you need is the ability to pair a bike cadence sensor (attached to the pedal). You can't really measure it without such a sensor. Unfortunately, Fitbit devices don't pair with any external sensors. That however wouldn't be an equivalent of steps, it would be just cycling cadence (different activity, different stat, there is no conversion for it).

[charleskn]

If your tracker has GPS, you can log it as an outdoor exercise, and you'll get a map, distance, heart rate, etc. Just no steps. IMO, the lack of steps isn't a big deal. I'd rather track duration, heart rate and distances, etc.