Fitbit tracks bike ride distance but underestimates walk distance

[aparnavenkat]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here and I've tried looking for an answer on here but I can't find much about the issue. 

I've been using my Fitbit since about September last year and initially had problems with connecting the GPS on the exercise app. It appeared to fix itself somehow when I restarted the phone just before connecting for a walk or a bike ride. 

Now the issue I face is that today, I went on a bike ride for 2.8km (not a lot but I'm starting after a long injury break) and I walked the distance back. The bike ride was correctly tracked on the exercises app - distance, time, everything. But the walk back, which was supposed to be also marked as 2.8km now shows 0.28km with 2770 steps...and I've never been more confused. It's not an issue with GPS, the map has correctly tracked the return route and mapped where I slowed my pace, but what is wrong with the distance measurement here?!! And there's also something fishy with the stride length calculated here (although with this, I'm fairly sure I've made a mistake rather than the app but I'd still like some assurance).

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[AlvaroFitbit]

@aparnavenkat Welcome to the Community. Sorry for the delay in my reply.

Let me help you with your walk distance detection on your Inspire HR. Were you pushing the bike on your way back? If is this the case did you use both hands or the one you use your tracker at some point? 

Your device will detect the movement on your arm and translate that movement into steps. There are situations in which your arm may be still but you could be moving or walking. This may happen when you are pushing a cart or holding bars while walking or using a treadmill. For added sensitivity you can try wearing your device on your dominant hand but select that hand as non dominant on the device’s settings to make it more sensitive to movement. Also make sure your hands are moving so the device can properly track your steps.

Let me know how it goes.

[aparnavenkat]

Hi @AlvaroFitbit! Thanks for replying, and no worries about the delay. 

It was actually my partner who was pushing the bike back with me, but I don't remember if I used the watch-hand to hold on when I needed support to keep walking. I'll keep that in mind when I'm out next time. 

Also, while I'm at this, my bike rides are being over estimated as well. I rode exactly 4km a few days ago and the Fitbit registered it as 4.5. a few meters off is acceptable but nearly 500m is a bit much - what can I do here to rectify it? My GPS was synced with the phone, I had great connection on the phone all the way through and yet this happened.