Strava Segments: Managing, Flagging, and Creating New Routes

How do I edit a segment on Strava?

While you cannot directly edit an existing public Strava segment created by another user, you can manage your interaction with it by flagging or hiding it, or, more effectively, create a new, more accurate segment that better serves the community and your training data.

Understanding Strava Segments and Their Importance

Strava segments are predetermined sections of road or trail where athletes can compete for times against themselves and others. From a kinesiological perspective, segments serve as valuable micro-laboratories for performance analysis, allowing users to track progress, assess pacing strategies, and benchmark their efforts over specific terrains. They transform individual workouts into a dynamic, community-driven challenge, fostering motivation and providing granular data points for training insights.

Why Edit a Strava Segment? Common Scenarios

The desire to "edit" a Strava segment typically arises from several practical considerations aimed at improving data accuracy, safety, or relevance:

• Inaccurate Start/End Points: A segment might begin or end in an illogical or unsafe location, such as mid-intersection or well before a clear landmark.
• Safety Concerns: A segment might route through a dangerous area, encouraging unsafe behavior (e.g., through heavy traffic, across private property).
• Poor Naming or Description: Ambiguous or unhelpful names can make a segment difficult to find or understand.
• Obsolete Routes: Changes in infrastructure (e.g., new roads, closed paths) can render an existing segment irrelevant or impossible to follow accurately.
• Overlapping or Duplicate Segments: Too many similar segments in one area can clutter the map and dilute competition.

The Nuance of Segment Editing: What You Can and Cannot Do

It's crucial to understand that Strava's segment management system prioritizes data integrity and community consensus. As a general user, you cannot directly modify an existing public segment created by another athlete. This prevents arbitrary changes that could invalidate historical records or disrupt the competitive integrity of leaderboards.

However, Strava provides mechanisms for users to address problematic segments and contribute positively to the ecosystem:

• Flagging: To report issues with an existing segment.
• Hiding: To remove a segment from your personal view.
• Creating New Segments: To establish a more accurate or relevant segment that can supersede a problematic one.

Step-by-Step: Managing Existing Segments (Flagging & Hiding)

Flagging a Segment for Review

Flagging is the appropriate action when a segment is inaccurate, unsafe, or violates Strava's guidelines. This action alerts Strava's moderation team and can lead to the segment being hidden from public view or even deleted.

1. Locate the Segment: On the Strava website (segment editing is primarily a web-based function), navigate to the specific segment page. You can do this by clicking on a segment within one of your activities or by searching for it via the Explore > Segments feature.
2. Access Flagging Options: On the segment's detail page, look for the "Actions" dropdown menu (often represented by a wrench icon or three dots) usually located near the segment name or leaderboard.
3. Select "Flag": Choose the "Flag" option from the dropdown.
4. Choose Reason: A dialog box will appear asking for the reason for flagging. Select the most appropriate option (e.g., "Inaccurate," "Dangerous," "Bad Data").
5. Add Comments (Optional but Recommended): Provide specific details about why the segment is problematic. The more information you give, the easier it is for Strava to assess.
6. Submit Flag: Confirm your submission.

Hiding a Segment from Your Activities

If a segment is simply not relevant to your training or is a nuisance, you can hide it from appearing on your own activity pages without affecting other users.

1. Locate the Segment: Navigate to the segment's detail page on the Strava website.
2. Access Options: Look for the "Actions" dropdown menu.
3. Select "Hide": Choose the "Hide" option. The segment will no longer appear on your activities. You can unhide it later if desired.

Step-by-Step: Creating a New, Improved Segment

Often, the most effective "edit" for a problematic segment is to create a new, superior one. This allows you to define the exact start and end points, name it accurately, and ensure it aligns with safe and logical routes.

1. Upload an Activity: To create a segment, you must have an activity (run, ride, etc.) that covers the desired route uploaded to Strava.
2. Access the Segment Creation Tool:
   • From your activity's detail page on the Strava website, scroll down to the "Segments" section.
   • Click on the "Create New Segment" button, typically located below the list of existing segments that match your activity.
3. Define Start and End Points:
   • You will see a map of your activity with a timeline slider below it.
   • Drag the green marker on the timeline to the exact point where you want your segment to begin.
   • Drag the red marker on the timeline to the exact point where you want your segment to end.
   • As you adjust the markers, the corresponding section will highlight on the map. Zoom in on the map for precision, ensuring the points are accurate to the meter, particularly at intersections or specific landmarks.
4. Review and Fine-Tune: Carefully review the selected segment on the map. Does it accurately reflect the intended section? Is it safe and logical?
5. Click "Next": Once satisfied with the start and end points, proceed to the next step.
6. Name Your Segment:
   • Choose a clear, descriptive, and concise name for your segment. Consider including the location, type of terrain, or a notable landmark (e.g., "Main Street Climb," "Lakeside Sprint," "Park Loop East").
   • You can also add a brief description if needed.
7. Set Visibility (Optional):
   • By default, new segments are public. If you only want the segment for your personal use and to track your own efforts, you can make it private. Private segments will only appear on your activities.
8. Click "Create Segment": Confirm your choices to finalize the segment creation.

Best Practices for Segment Creation and Management

• Accuracy is Paramount: Strive for precise start and end points. Inaccurate segments lead to frustration and skewed data.
• Logical Flow: Segments should follow clear, continuous paths. Avoid segments that jump across roads or include unnecessary detours.
• Safety First: Never create segments that encourage unsafe behavior or violate traffic laws.
• Unique Naming: Use descriptive names that avoid confusion with existing segments.
• Avoid Duplicates: Before creating a new segment, check if a similar, accurate one already exists. Contributing to a well-curated segment library benefits everyone.
• Consider Segment Length: While there's no strict rule, very short segments (under 0.1 miles/160 meters) can be prone to GPS inaccuracies, and excessively long ones may not offer granular enough insights.
• Community Contribution: Thoughtful segment creation enhances the Strava experience for all athletes, providing meaningful challenges and performance benchmarks.

Impact on Performance Data and Leaderboards

When a segment is flagged and removed or a new one is created, it directly impacts how performance data is presented and how leaderboards are structured. A flagged segment will no longer appear on activities, and its leaderboard will be inaccessible or removed. A newly created segment will begin accumulating data from all future activities that traverse it, establishing a new leaderboard for that specific section. This ensures that competitive data remains relevant and accurate based on well-defined parameters.

Conclusion

While the ability to "edit" an existing Strava segment is limited to prevent data manipulation, users have powerful tools to contribute to the platform's accuracy and utility. By understanding how to effectively flag problematic segments, hide irrelevant ones, and, most importantly, create precise new segments, you play a vital role in enhancing the Strava experience for yourself and the global athletic community. This approach ensures that the segments remain a valuable, data-driven resource for performance analysis and friendly competition.