Incorrect recording while cycling with Versa 2

[Procter101]

How can my fitbit show 8000 steps for 1. 2 miles when I actually cycled 34 miles 

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity. 

[AndreaFitbit]

Thanks for getting back to us @Procter101. I'm sorry to hear your Versa 2 shows incorrect information when registering your cycling activity. 

How do you register your activity? 

I noticed that you have a case with our support. Is this case related with your biking activity?

Keep on visiting the forums. 

[Procter101]

Today allegedly stepped 8888 steps for point 7 of a mile

Actually probably walked 200 yards maximum

Walked into garage to pick up bike cycled 36 miles with 30 yard cafe stop rode home.

5 yards from bike to garage.

HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE!!!

PLEASE FIX

[Procter101]

Apparently this is the way the app works and there is nothing wrong with the watch

Talk about catch 22

8888 steps for point 7 of a mile is apparently the apps fault.

Not sure where the app gets it information from!!!

PLEASE have an outbreak of sanity 

[Procter101]

Any reaction from fitbit about this problem after 18 months of problems.

offered another replacement but so far no guarantee that the problem has been fixed. 

[Procter101]

A deadly silence from fitbit actually says it all I have 190 screenshots proving inaccurate data but no help

[Rich_Laue]

Sorry @Procter101 but you are in the community where fitbit users help each other. 

The silence from the moderator is because, as mentioned above, you have opened a case with support. Therefore the moderator steps out of the picture and let's support handle your issue. 

False steps, while cycling usually are from the road surface that you are riding on. 

Depending on the road surface, your bikes suspension, your "steos" recorded will change. 

[Procter101]

Thanks for the reply

All I want is for fitbit to acknowledge the problem and fix itv rather than cut and paste replies. 189 screenshots over 18 months cannot lie.

Thanks 

[Rich_Laue]

You will need to contact fitbit.. 

As you can see, fitbit usdrsgcsn not make up their minds on what to do about steps while biking. 

Some want every pedal counted as a step. 

Some one no steps. 

Some want the distance converted to steps. 

Convert Bike Distance (or Spinning) into Steps

Cycling mileage to be shown in dashboard and weekl...

Adding bike miles to the weekly report.

Option to remove steps earned when cyclin

Ankle mode for cycling

Changing activity to Bike should deduct steps form..

Eliminate steps when manually logging a 'Bike' act...

[Procter101]

I truly understand this is a community forum but I believe it is reasonable to show your users the problem and the attitude of fitbit.

New record  today

10053 steps

Distance. 66 of a mile

Actually cycled 32 miles and walked probably 200 yards naximum

[Rich_Laue]

Can't speak for fitbit, however if fitbit removes these steps, a bunch of users will be upset, if fitbit keeps these steps, a bunch of users will be upset. Then we have a third group that wants a step count to reflect the calories bury, and a 4th group that wants every pedal stroke counted as a step. 

No matter what fitbit does, 3 groups will be mad. 

[Procter101]

Thanks for explanation but since steps implies walking and run implies run and bike is bike I cannot understand the problem.

The issue is when I cycle 32 miles it also tells me I have stepped 8888 steps for point 7 of a mile which is completely wrong.

Record steps as steps

Cycle as cycle

Run as run

Not to difficult

Thanks for your input and hope others read before purchasing 

[NancyB · Accepted solution]

When I cycle (stationary bike) I wear my Fitbit on my sneaker laces (feed strap thru sev laces & clasp). Not sure if data is truly accurate but it’s def more realistic. Anyone else tried this?

[Procter101]

Thanks for all replies but to suggest that I wear my watch on my shoes to get it to work must be among the craziest things I have heard recently.

If I want to know the time I have to take my shoe off

Sadly this even surpasses fitbit answer.

I do not wish to denigrate the helpful answer from forum user but can you imagine the reaction if you heard this answer on TV

Put the watch on your shoes

Fitbit should be ashamed of their customer service and their owners motto

Do no evil

Just provide a watch or model that works. 

I have had 4 replacements already 

[Rich_Laue]

@Procter101 what is there to not understand? Your biking goesfover bumps, these bumps cause the wrist to bounce around. Your tracker is monitoring movements of the wrist and not the feet. 

The steps recorded are in direct relationship the the bouncing of the bike. 

@NancyB if you record as a bike, your pedal strikes as for calories, have very little to do with the bike event. If fitbit doesn't see a heart beat, then calories burnt will probably be off. 

@Procter101 no one from fitbit suggestedfmounting on the feet, fitbit doesn't take steps into consideration while biking. 

[Procter101]

Thanks Rich for reply.

I well understand bumps may generate some false steps but I am riding on paved roads on a bike with suspension so doubt wrist movement would account for all this. 

8888 steps on 36 miles is 246 movements per mile or 1760 divided  by 246 or every 7 yards

It was another contributor who suggested placing watch on trainers

Thanks again for your contribution to debate but the fact remains

Steps are steps 

Run is run

Bike is bike 

And never the 3 should meet

Thanks again 

[Rich_Laue]

Yup, but some users want every pedal to be counted as steps, some want no steps, some want steps converted, but what type of conversion? 

In any case, their are several suggestions that can be voted on. 

Apple stops steps, Garmin doesn't.