Once you start commuting by bicycle or riding a road bike, you'll likely want a navigation system.

It can tell you your estimated arrival time at work and how bad traffic congestion is.

When you look into it, navigation systems are quite expensive, but there's a way to get one for free, which I'll share with you.

The Effectiveness of Navigation

Some of you might say, "I already know the way to work, so I don't need it."

There's also the idea that since you always ride at full effort, you arrive at roughly the same time, so there's no need to look at a map.

My suggestion for using it is precisely for that reason: to know your time余裕 and enjoy your ride by taking different routes or stopping at shops you wouldn't normally visit.

You might feel rushed if you don't know how much time you have to spare.

Information is essential for acting with peace of mind.

Among that information, knowing how much time you have is crucial.

Even so, bicycle navigation systems cost around 30,000 to 50,000 yen.

They come with speedometers and heart rate monitors, but they are still expensive, aren't they?

I imagine those who can easily afford them are wealthy.

When we talk about navigation in general, there are systems for cars and motorcycles.

Both require a power source, which makes them a bit concerning to mount on a bicycle.

So, I'll tell you a good method.

Using a Car Navigation App on Your Smartphone

If you buy a stand to mount your smartphone on your bike, your smartphone can be fixed in place.

This allows you to use car navigation.

When it comes to car navigation on smartphones, NAVITIME is famous, and it even provides elevation differences for cyclists.

Even without a dedicated navigation app, Google Maps allows you to select bicycle routes.

Unlike car routes, it will choose narrower roads.

Traffic congestion might not seem relevant for bicycles, but knowing traffic information can help you find easier routes.

What Your Smartphone Can Do

○ Bicycle Navigation

Google Maps is incredibly convenient because it selects routes specifically for bicycles.

It's also great that it shows the remaining distance and estimated arrival time.

Of course, it also displays your speed.

Although I don't use it much, it also has a compass, so you can tell which way is north.

The timeline feature also records which roads you took and where you stopped along the way.

○ Dashcam

Smartphone apps also include dashcams.

In the unfortunate event of an accident, it can record who was at fault, and even if you're pulled over by the police for running a red light, you can prove your innocence. (Please ride safely.)

Dashcams also have the effect of subconsciously encouraging safer driving because you're recording yourself.

Not only that, but you can also record travel videos, and since it can display a map and video on one screen, you can enjoy an immersive experience, to the point where some people upload them to YouTube.

With some editing, it could become an entertaining video.

○ Heart Rate Monitor

Also known as a heart rate monitor in English.

It is said that efficiently burning fat through aerobic exercise occurs at 60-70% of your maximum heart rate.

Maximum heart rate can generally be calculated using the formula "220 - age."

The idea is to maintain this heart rate to efficiently burn fat and diet effectively.

Heart rate monitors are included in smartwatches and similar devices, but they can also upload data to your smartphone and display heart rate values in a graph.

While you can display it solely on your smartphone, it's not actually measuring blood flow, so it's best to consider it as providing a general overview.

As you can see, simply attaching a smartphone to your bicycle significantly expands what you can do.

Moreover, new apps are constantly emerging, offering the benefit of free entertainment.

▲ICAN F1 Folding Bike

Summary

Bicycle navigation systems exist but are surprisingly expensive.

Buy a smartphone holder and secure your smartphone to your bike.

This way, you can get desired information like navigation apps, dashcam apps, and heart rate monitors for free.

It's also very convenient for effective diet information and recording your travels.

Please give it a try.

 Related article: Recommendation for Enjoyable Bicycle Commuting