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ADV ProductsADV AppsRiding Solo? Get The App That Checks Up On Your Safety

Riding Solo? Get The App That Checks Up On Your Safety

Free Web App improves your safety and eases stress on your loved ones.

Published on 04.17.2014

Riding solo in remote areas can be dangerous and most Adventure Riders try to avoid it if they can. If you do ride solo, keeping your loved ones informed of your plans improves your chances of being found if you end up going missing.

Using a GPS messaging device is the best way to keep your loved ones aware of your movements. You can send messages to them with your current location nearly anywhere in the world using satellite communication. With a GPS messenger, satellite phone or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), you can also summon help from search and rescue.

Riding with these devices can also help reduce your family’s fears about your Adventure Riding lifestyle. It lets them know you are doing everything you can to be safe. But the cost of these devices and their service plans can be expensive and many riders ride without them.


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For riders that don’t use satellite based communication devices, there’s another way you can improve your safety that won’t cost you a penny. A new Web App called Kitestring will automatically notify your emergency contacts if you don’t arrive home safely.

Just tell Kitestring when you are going on a trip and if you don’t check-in by the expected return time, Kitestring sends you a message to check if you are ok. If you don’t respond, Kitestring notifies your emergency contacts letting them know that you may be in need of assistance.

Steps for using Kitestring
1. Go to http://kitestring.io/ to create a new account.
2. Enter your emergency contacts who are able to receive text messages.
3. Start a new trip by entering the date/time when people should start to worry.
4. Click the “Embark” button to start the countdown.
5. Stop the timer at any time by texting Kitestrap or by using the website.
6. If you don’t check-in, you’ll get a reminder text message once time expires.
7. You have 5 minutes to check-in before a message is sent to your contacts.

Kitestring uses a mobile friendly website that has an easy-to-use interface. The app is totally web based so you don’t need to have a smartphone to use it. You just have to make sure you set up your trip on Kitestring before you leave and don’t forget to check-in when you get back. Be aware that this app will only work if you can send a text or use the Kitestring website to check-in when you arrive at your final destination. Otherwise, your family will get an emergency message.

kitestring screenshot message

Your emergency contact message can be customized to look like this.

There are other limitations as well. The app allows you to send a distress signal with a text message at any time, but you’ll need a cell signal for this to work. Also, Kitestring has no way of transmitting your current location in the emergency messages it sends. However, you can include information about your intended route when you set up a custom emergency message before you leave.

The Kitestring App may not be perfect, but it’s free and offers real value in terms of improving your safety and peace of mind. Some riders may not want to burden their family with the details of every trip they go on and this app allows them to alert their family of a potential problem only when there’s something to worry about. The app can also be used in conjunction with a satellite communication device for additional safety.

Riding solo is still dangerous, but with all the new location awareness apps and devices, you can ride solo with more confidence now. New location awareness apps are coming out all the time. If you know of a great app in this category, feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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Brad
Brad
April 20, 2014 5:47 am

Won’t let me open App once downloaded said application doesn’t allow use in my region/ Country. Near Hamilton, Ontario Canada (yeah real exotic)

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
April 20, 2014 8:38 pm
Reply to  Brad

Hi Brad.

Kitestring is not an app you download and install on your phone. There is an unrelated mobile app called “KITE String” that you may have downloaded by mistake. All you have to do is go to the website (http://kitestring.io/) with any web browser and sign up to use Kitestring.

Kitestring currently works in 217 countries including Canada. Just keep in mind that when sending text messages to Kitestring’s US phone number, your mobile carrier may charge international fees. However, you can still use the web interface to setup trips and check-in when you return, to avoid any international charges.

J. Brandon (@AmericanSahara)
J. Brandon (@AmericanSahara)
April 21, 2014 8:03 am

“Riding solo in remote areas can be dangerous and most Adventure Riders try to avoid it if they can.”

I would argue that riding alone in remote areas is the essence of adventure riding. This seems like a deliberately provocative opening line.

MarkP38
MarkP38
April 21, 2014 9:40 am

Nice to know all the options out there. I would use it in conjunction with the ‘spot’ in case a bad accident prevents me from pushing the ‘sos’ button.

michaelmassuccoMichael Massucco
michaelmassuccoMichael Massucco
May 2, 2014 5:11 pm
Reply to  MarkP38

So I would say that I am out of cell phone range at least 50% of the time when I go on a ride. Using this service would require a good planing to avoid freaking your locked ones out if you happen to be running behind schedule.

Chris Westin
Chris Westin
May 3, 2014 10:53 am

I don’t think that is a ‘deal breaker’ considering the benefit. Just put some padding on the time you set to check-in. No biggie. I have a lot of friends that ride solo with no ‘spot’ or anything – now THAT is something to worry about.

Terry Trigger
Terry Trigger
September 23, 2014 6:58 pm

Thank you..very cool tool

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Today’s Women 3 | News of the New
October 7, 2014 1:13 am

[…] Riding Solo? Get the App That Checks Up on Your Safety […]

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November 9, 2015 12:13 pm

[…] (Source: https://www.advpulse.com/adv-products/riding-solo-get-the-app-that-checks-up-on-your-safety/ ) […]

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