6 electric bike applications to discover

Whether for your daily commute or for holidays, cycling—and especially electric cycling—now has many digital allies. Thanks to technological advances, more and more people are choosing to electrify their bikes using a... electric bike kit, then to rely on applications to plan their routes and optimize their journeys.

Planning a route suitable for e-bikes? Identifying water points? Finding bike-friendly accommodation? Sharing your travel memories? Or even locating a electric bike kit installer ? For all these questions, there are simple, practical, often free solutions, right at your fingertips.

Let's go!

Strava: the app for athletes

This is the ultimate app for athletes.

Strava is that orange logo and its own unique jargon. On the app, they talk about kudos, not likes. Sound familiar? You'll get used to it quickly.

You can upload all your sports activities (swimming, running, cycling, squash, tennis, etc.) either by recording them directly or via an app or smartwatch. This then allows you to view all your statistics and interact with your community on the topic.

It's the social network for sports enthusiasts. In fact, the app is particularly known for one feature: segments. These are short sections of road where your stats are compared to those of the community. If you're the fastest on that segment, you get virtual rewards. The idea? To encourage everyone to push their limits and do more sports.

Strava also has route planning features, but we don't think that's its strongest point. For that, there's Komoot. Here's why.

Komoot: the essential tool for itineraries

If it's not already the case, Komoot is a name that will very soon become familiar to you.

For several years now, this app has become essential for all types of cycling — and especially for those who have chosen to electrify their bikes. Komoot is undoubtedly the most comprehensive app for planning your cycling routes, whether you ride an e-bike, a mountain bike, or a road bike.

It takes into account the type of bike you use (even bikes equipped with a (electric bike kit), the type of route you're looking for (fast, safe, comfortable), and your personal preferences (fitness level, points of interest, surface, elevation gain). The route can then be shared or exported to a smartwatch or GPS device.

Any other little extras? Komoot offers the possibility of step-by-step navigation with voice instructions, offline maps (very practical when you are in the middle of nowhere), trails recommended by the community (via the Highlights function), and many other features.

Hexplo: the new girl

It's the new kid on the block and a 100% French gem.

Their goal is to become the The preferred planner for cyclists. Routes, points of interest, accommodations… all these aspects can be managed directly from the app. We've tested it so far, and there are still a few minor points to improve, but it will very quickly become indispensable.Moreover, more than 20,000 people already use it both for everyday life and for their holiday travels.

The best part? A large part of this app is based on a community approach. In other words? You can share information and add points of interest. This allows you to discover many things, often places that aren't listed in official guidebooks. And when traveling, that's perfect—exactly what you're looking for.

France Vélo tourism: the almost-app

Okay, we cheated a little.

It's not a mobile app, but their website is so well-designed and comprehensive that we had to share it with you here. We've tested it on numerous trips and have never been disappointed. The tool is incredibly complete. You'll find, among other things:

• More than 60 cycling routes and trails
• For each route, suggestions for suitable paper guides
• A list of accommodations with the “bike-friendly” label
• Ideas for points of interest and cultural aspects to see
• Repair shops and rental companies available on the road
• Options with luggage transfer service
• Bike cafes and food areas not to be missed

In short, honestly, it's the best of the best.

The only downside? It can't be downloaded beforehand for offline use. You therefore need to have internet access when you want to view the information.

Water Map: for filling water bottles

When cycling, it is important to stay well hydrated.

For those in the know, there are several tips. The first? Be aware that most cemeteries have free, self-service water fountains. The reason? They are installed to allow visitors to water the flowers. For cyclists—and especially those who ride electric bikes or have chosen toelectrify their bike — It's ideal for taking a break and refilling your water bottle.

Electric bike travelers know that a successful route also depends on good landmarks for managing battery life, hydration, and logistics. And since there are cemeteries in most French towns and cities, it's a simple trick to stay self-sufficient, especially when riding with an electric bike kit.

The other option? Ask around: ask a passerby, ring someone's doorbell, or sit down in a café. The added bonus? It's often an opportunity to meet interesting people.

And if you are not If you're comfortable with these first two points, you should know that some people have created a great app: Water Map. It lists over 280,000 drinking water fountains all over France and the world. Sometimes, it can be a lifesaver.

Polar Steps : to share your journey with your friends and family

This app is a little less well-known, but you're going to love it.

The idea? To easily share your trip with those around you (friends, neighbors, family, colleagues, etc.). It's also very often used by those embarking on long journeys, such as a round-the-world trip. You can share photos of the places you've visited.

This allows your loved ones to follow your journey, see your progress, and relive certain moments with you. In short, it's an opportunity to experience all of this together and share it. We love the idea.

And there you have it, we hope you find all this information useful.

Any other ideas to share? Any app names you'd like to know about? Tell us all about it in the comments. We'd love to discover new things.

See you very soon.