Cyclists Get Ready - The Apple watchOS 8 update promises some major changes to the cycling software, making it a better experience. Until now, tracking features for cycling have been rather limited, with no ride detection or automatic pause (who has time to manually stop their watch at a stoplight?), but all of this is set to change.

The coronavirus pandemic created a "bicycle boom" as many people turned to or returned to cycling to avoid public transportation and to stay fit during the shutdown. Bicycles sold out all over the world, and more people than ever before discovered the joys of getting around on two wheels. Apple seems to have noticed this trend and made the necessary updates to their technology. [watchOS 8 requires an iPhone 6S or later running iOS 14 and is compatible with all Apple watches, including Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Series 3. Users can download it for free starting Monday, September 20.

For those who cycle, here are the watchOS 8 updates we're excited about. [watchOS 8 uses algorithms that analyze GPS, heart rate, accelerometer, and gyroscope data to detect when to start cycling. This is not groundbreaking; the Apple Watch already does this for walking and running, but it is a useful feature for casual commuters and more serious cyclists.

As with all automatic workout reminders on the Apple Watch, you can also view metrics from the time you first started your workout.

There's nothing more frustrating than pausing your workout, balancing your bike, and watching out for traffic lights at stoplights. Thankfully, Apple has answered our prayers and added automatic pause and resume to cycling tracking in watchOS 8. Again, this is not groundbreaking, and Garmin and others have been doing it for years, but it is a useful feature for cyclists in crowded cities.

Apple also announced an update to cycling tracking that is also important for e-bike users: the Apple Watch will better assess GPS and heart rate to better determine whether users are riding with pedal assist or just leg power It will be able to do so.

watchOS 8 adds Apple's fall detection feature to cycling workouts. fall detection, a feature introduced by Apple in 2018, recognizes when a severe fall is detected and not moving for about a minute and notifies emergency services from the wrist. With this update, the Apple Watch will be able to recognize the unique motion and impact of a fall from a bicycle, keeping users safe when they are on the road.

The accident detection feature has been available on some Garmin models for over a year, but unlike Garmin, the Apple Watch will immediately notify emergency services rather than pinging emergency contacts with location information.