Tracking a bike ride with GPS

[TyTheWriter]

If I click the + sign in the app and pick Track Exercise, I'm able to map a Walk, Run, or Hike.  But no matter what I do, I can't get the app to offer Bike as an exercise option.  I have Bike set up as an Exercise Option and GPS connected is "YES."  So I'm stuck.  Any suggestions?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[MarreFitbit]

Hey my friend @TyTheWriter, it's nice to see you here in the forums! Let's give this a shot, here we go:

First-time setup on iOS:

• First, make sure you can track your run, walk, or hike when you're out of Wi-Fi range:
  1. Open Settings and tap Cellular.
  2. Make sure Cellular Data is turned on.
• Next, ensure that your GPS can continue tracking when your phone is locked:
  1. Open Settings and tap General.
  2. Tap Background App Refresh, find the Fitbit app, and make sure it is turned on.
• Lastly, make sure your phone can identify your location:
  1. Open Settings and tap Privacy.
  2. Tap Location Services and make sure it’s turned on.
  3. Find Fitbit in the app list and make sure it's set to While Using the App or Always.

First-time set up for Android 

• Make sure your phone can track your activity when you're out of Wi-Fi range. This is usually achieved by making sure Cellular Data is turned on.
• Make sure GPS can continue tracking while your phone is locked.
• Make sure your phone can identify your location.This is usually achieved by enabling Location Services within your privacy settings.

Now, when you're ready for tracking your biking routine:

• On your tracker, press the button until you get to the Exercise screen.
• Tap to find the exercise of your choice.
• Press and hold the button to start the exercise. If you see a phone icon at the top, that exercise offers connected GPS and your device is connected to a GPS signal. If the phone icon has a line through it that means your tracker is not connected to your phone or your phone is not connected to a GPS signal. If the phone icon has an animated dashed line next to it, that means your device is trying to find a GPS signal.
• During your workout, tap your tracker to scroll through your real-time stats or check the time of day.
• To pause your workout, press the button. Then press the button again to resume the exercise.
• When you’re done with your workout, press and hold the button to stop recording. You’ll see a flag icon and a congratulatory message.
• Press the button to see a summary of your results. With each button press you’ll cycle to a different set of stats. You can view your exercise summary one time. 

Syncing your tracker stores the workout in your exercise history. There you can find additional stats and see your route if you used connected GPS.

Let me know if there's something else I can assist you with. I'm always around! 

[TyTheWriter]

Thanks, but this didn't answer my question...

[LZeeW]

@TyTheWriter  The Charge 2 has two ways to track with GPS -- MobileRun and the Multisport (exercise) mode.  You are starting your activity using MobileRun -- limited to walk, run and hike.  You want the Multisport mode.  Push the button on your tracker until you see the activity icon.  I don't remember what the default first choice is.  But I think it is either Run or Walk.  Now tap the tracker until it gets to Bike.  Push and hold the button to start/stop.

Here are two links to help you

Multisport mode

Exercise shortcuts

[Rich_Laue]

@TyTheWriter, In your question, it states that Bike is setup as a multisport exercise on the Charge 2, this is the first step.

Then the Mobile Run in the Fitbit app is started and  Bike is not an option. As @LZeeW explained, these are two completely different ways of recording an exercise, She and @MarreFitbit simply explaining how to use the Multisport mode to record a bike ride. This is what you setup the Cjarge 2 to do, wasn't it?

To answer your question about Mobile run, there is no option to record a bike ride, you will need to use the multisport mode on the tracker.

@LZeeW the default top exercise is run, but this can be easily changed in the Charge 2 settings.- exercises

[Abby-girl]

I have the same issue, I have ionic, gps map only lets u select run, walk , hike 

there is no adding bike ? 
I always have to manually enter my rides ?

[Rich_Laue]

That is correct @Abby-girl, however we are on the Charge 2 support board and the Charge 2 does have the ability to track a bike ride.

Just by wearing the Charge 2, you can leave the phone home, the bike ride should be automatically detected.

Or use the bike mode for the Charge 2

But no distance or route. 

[mckillio]

How is this still not fixed? 

[Rich_Laue]

What is it that needs fixed @mckillio?

[DavRob]

I guess @mckillio means the fact that the tracking options still only  give you hike - walk - run, and not outdoor cycle or mountain bike. I want the time elapsed and distance covered in miles. I’ve got a Fitbit 3 and an android phone. Even when the device detects the fact I’m on my bike automatically it still doesn’t tell me how far I’ve travelled.

Surely Fitbit aren’t going to continually ignore cyclists and can see the sense in adding the distance travelled too ?

[Rich_Laue]

If you are refferring to the fitbit app @DavRob you are correct, but this thread is in the hardware board and as mentioned above, your tracker is able to record the bike with GPS.