Update on Strava API use and the implications for VeloViewer

Thank you once again for all the support you have shown recently, we know we are incredibly lucky to have such loyal users.

We have been working closely with the team at Strava and are appreciative of their partnership. At this time, we fully understand the implications and will be making a subtle adjustment to make sure that we continue to uphold the highest standards of data security and to ensure that we fully align with Strava’s API agreement.

The single change is that users who choose to share their data publicly within VeloViewer will now be asked to confirm consent regularly. Visibility will default back to ‘private’ if consent is not reconfirmed.  Previously, it was a ‘one & done’ consent process, this change will help users to be fully aware of the data sharing that they have agreed to.

This change will be released in the next couple of weeks and all other functionality will remain unchanged. We hope that you will continue to enjoy exploring your data and planning your adventures with VeloViewer.

VeloViewer Update 3rd December 2024:

Your options for sharing data in VeloViewer have now been updated.  This gives you more control over the privacy of your data.

Previously, when you synced your Strava data to VeloViewer, your data was visible only to you, across the whole site.  You could then check a box to opt-in to make your Strava data public within VeloViewer (note this only relates to your public/non-private Strava data, VeloViewer has never allowed private Strava data to be shared). This option made your data visible until, either, your PRO subscription expired, or until you unchecked the box.  

This has now been improved; when you opt-in to make your Strava data public in VeloViewer, it will only remain public for 7 days, after which it defaults back to private.  On your Update page you can press a button each week, when you update your data, to keep it public, if that is your wish. We have tried to make this process as quick and easy as possible.

If you opt-in to show your information in the overall, and Zwift-Insider/100 Climbs leaderboards, as well as your public VeloViewer Explorer Tiles in the Explorer Global Heatmap, then those continue to be indefinite, no need to renew.

The place to initially share your data is in the Options section of your Update page:

If you check the box to make your data public, then the next time you visit your Update page you will see when your data is public until, along with buttons to reset the data visibility for 7-days from when you press the button, so in effect, you have the option to reset the clock.  You will also see an alternate option to make your data private:

Why the change and why now?

Giving users choice and control of their data privacy is very important to us.  We wanted to move to a system that makes data sharing as transparent as possible. The new system prompts users to consider whether their data sharing preferences have changed, rather than assuming that they haven’t.

This update was prompted by conversations with Strava and we believe it is a positive move for our users.

Tour of Britain – an inside view

VeloViewer cockpit

When the Tour of Britain came to VeloViewer’s home town last week our Office Manager Rachel was on the scene in Sheffield to report on the event, and joined the Central Escort Group (CEG) for the race.

Here Rachel gives us the inside view on her experience….

Is it only a week since we welcomed the men’s Tour of Britain to South Yorkshire for Stage 3?

I had the absolute thrill of being invited to ride in the Central Escort Group (CEG) lead police car. It was an exciting opportunity to experience the race safety and security operations up close and personal, and in particular how the police use the VeloViewer WorldTour package to support their endeavours. West Yorkshire Police coordinates the CEG and is led by Sergeant Duncan Street. It is comprised of a lead and end of race car, CEG motorcyclists, plus is joined on race days by a group of National Escort Group (NEG) motorcyclists.

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Countdown to the Women’s Tour of Britain

Andy Hawes on the Moto
Andy Hawes on the moto (right)

In countdown to the Women’s Tour of Britain we caught up with British Cycling’s Route Director Andy Hawes to hear how VeloViewer is being used in preparation for the race.

How has VeloViewer helped in the run up to the Women’s Tour of Britain?

VeloViewer has become an absolute key tool in delivering our events, to the point where, my Route Safety Manager, and I wonder how we planned this type of event before it was available as we struggled for years with limited technology.  Continue reading

VeloViewer x Velon Collaboration

Tadej Pogačar’s bike fitted with the Velon device in the Giro d’Italia

VeloViewer announces a new collaboration with Velon to bring real-time rider race data to the VeloViewer Live App, used by women’s and men’s professional teams, for enhanced rider safety and performance.

The partnership will allow the integration of Velon’s cutting-edge technology during races including the Giro d’Italia, Tour of Norway and Tour de Suisse, and in future races where Velon’s live rider data system is being used, providing teams with invaluable insights of their own riders alongside VeloViewer’s course data, all within one interface.

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