Flagging a Segment in Strava: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hey there! Today, I’m going to show you how to flag a segment in Strava. You might be wondering, why would I want to do that? Well, sometimes there are segments on Strava that are inaccurate or unsafe, and flagging them can help keep the community safe and the data reliable. So, let’s get started!

First things first, you need to sign in to your Strava account. If you don’t have one, go ahead and create one – it’s free! Once you’re signed in, navigate to the activity that includes the segment you want to flag.

Okay, now that you’re on the activity page, scroll down until you see the segment you want to flag. Next to the segment name, you’ll see three little dots. Click on those dots, and a dropdown menu will appear.

In the dropdown menu, you’ll find an option that says “Flag Segment.” Go ahead and click on it. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to provide a reason for flagging the segment. This is an important step, as it helps Strava understand why you think the segment should be flagged.

Once you’ve selected the appropriate reason, click on the “Flag Segment” button. Congrats, you did it! The segment you flagged will now be under review by the Strava team.

It’s worth noting that flagging a segment doesn’t mean it will be automatically removed. Strava reviews all flagged segments to ensure their accuracy and safety before taking any action. So, give it some time, and if your flag was justified, the segment will likely be updated or removed from the platform.

That’s it, my friend! Now you know how to flag a segment in Strava. By taking this small but important step, you’re helping to create a safer and more reliable environment for all Strava users. Happy running, cycling, or whatever sport you’re into, and remember, stay safe out there!

If you use Strava, you probably already know how people can get a little carried away with capturing those top achievements and staying on the leaderboard. Sometimes, though, things can get out of control and some people might resort to some creative ways to gain an advantage. When you notice this happening, you have the option to flag a segment in Strava.

A segment is a specific part of your route that is measured and tracked separately from the whole ride or run. Each segment has its own leaderboard, where participants are ranked based on their time. It adds an extra level of competition that can motivate you to do better next time, which is usually the goal for most runners and cyclists.

While most people compete fairly, there are always cheaters and there are times when a segment might be unsafe. In those situations, you can choose to flag that segment in Strava.

Strava Flagging: What You Need to Know

When it comes to Strava, there are two types of flagging: activity flags and segment flags. Now, you might be wondering, what’s the difference?

Let’s start with activity flags. These flags serve as markers for when someone might be cheating or if their GPS is acting up. It’s happened to me before—I’ve had rides where my Garmin recorded me going uphill at an impossible speed. Needless to say, I got flagged for that. But don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. When an activity gets flagged, Strava sends you an email notifying you about it. From there, you have a few options. You can edit the ride, delete it, or even just delete the segment that triggered the flag. And just like that, everything is back to normal. Of course, there are some people who intentionally flag their activities to gain an edge. But let’s not dwell on them too much.

Now, let’s move on to segment flagging. This is where things get a bit more interesting. Segment flagging is not about cheating, but rather about alerting others to potential hazards. You see, Strava has faced criticism in the past for supposedly encouraging risky behavior. So, segment flagging provides a way for users to help keep each other safe. However, it also gets misused from time to time.

Believe me, I’ve come across segments that have been flagged for no good reason at all. It’s as if the previous King of the Mountain couldn’t handle losing their crown, so they resorted to flagging instead. But fear not! Strava has measures in place to prevent abuse. Users can only flag a ride once, and if you think a segment has been unfairly flagged, you can reach out to Strava and they’ll investigate it for you. They take hazards seriously.

Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect system. There are some mountain bike trails in my area that have been flagged and continue to remain flagged simply because they’re deemed “high speed” trails. But here’s the thing—they’re actually safe, as long as you know what you’re doing and have experience. See, sometimes even Strava can make mistakes.

So, there you have it—a rundown of flagging in Strava. Whether it’s activity flags or segment flags, you now know what they’re all about. Ride on, my fellow Strava enthusiasts, and stay safe out there!

How to Flag a Segment in Strava

If you happen to come across a segment that is genuinely dangerous or hazardous, such as those crossing a mall car park or going through your local shopping center, you have the option to flag it in Strava and request its removal. Although there’s no guarantee that the flag will stay in place, it will at least discourage reckless behavior for some time.

Here’s what you need to do to flag a segment:

1. First, log in to your Strava account.
2. Next, go to the detail page of the segment.
3. At the bottom right corner of the segment map, click on the action menu.
4. From the menu, select “Flag”.
5. Provide a reason for flagging and include as many details as possible.
6. Finally, click on “Flag” to confirm your decision.

You can also flag a segment from the Analyze Segment screen. Here’s how:

1. Open an activity from your dashboard.
2. Scroll down to find the segment you want to flag.
3. In the center of the activity page, click on “Analyze” from the small menu.
4. In the new page, select the three-dot menu icon located on the left.
5. From the menu, choose “Flag”.
6. Like before, provide a reason for flagging with as much detail as possible.
7. Click on “Flag” to confirm your decision.

When flagging a segment, make sure to provide a solid reason, such as excessive traffic or a pedestrian-only area. This feature should only be used to report hazards, not suspicious activities – that’s what the activity flag is for.

As far as I know, Strava reviews these flag reports and evaluates the situation using segment data and local map data. Based on their assessment, they will either keep or remove the flag. Sometimes, the actions taken by Strava might not seem logical, but considering the vastness of their coverage, the company does its best to address issues in the most effective way possible.