Does riding a bike count as steps in Pokemon Go?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

In Pokemon Go, the distance traveled by biking is not counted towards steps or the hatching of eggs. This is because the game has a speed limit of 10.5 km/h (or 6.5 mph) which determines whether the distance traveled is counted or not.

The reason behind this speed limit is to prevent players from accumulating distance while traveling in vehicles. Niantic, the company behind Pokemon Go, implemented this limit to encourage players to be active and explore their surroundings on foot rather than relying on vehicles to hatch eggs or accumulate distance.

While this speed limit may seem low, it is effective in distinguishing between walking or running and traveling at higher speeds. Biking can often exceed this speed limit, especially on flat terrain or downhill slopes. As a result, the game does not count biking distance towards steps or egg hatching.

I can understand that this limitation may be frustrating for avid bikers who would like to track their biking distance in the game. However, it is important to remember that Pokemon Go is primarily designed to promote physical activity and encourage players to explore their environment by walking or running.

It is worth mentioning that there have been discussions and debates among players about the speed limit and whether it should be increased to accommodate biking or other forms of exercise. Some argue that increasing the speed limit would make the game more inclusive and allow players to track their biking distance accurately. However, others believe that maintaining the speed limit is essential to the game’s core concept of promoting physical activity and exploration.

In my personal experience, I have found that the speed limit can sometimes be frustrating, especially when I’m biking and want to track my distance traveled accurately. However, I also understand the reasoning behind the limit and appreciate the game’s focus on promoting physical activity.

To summarize, riding a bike does not count as steps in Pokemon Go due to the speed limit imposed by the game. This speed limit, which is set at 10.5 km/h or 6.5 mph, is in place to discourage players from accumulating distance while traveling in vehicles. While this limitation may disappoint some bikers, it aligns with the game’s goal of encouraging players to explore their surroundings on foot and engage in physical activity.