Cycling app Strava introduces private messages as well as group chats starting this Monday

Strava users will now be able to chat directly to one another, as well as in groups, as the fitness platform launches a landmark new feature: Messaging. Calls for in-app messaging functionality have been made by Strava users for years – one even started a petition – and it’ll be possible from Monday, December 4.

"The introduction of Messaging marks an exciting milestone for Strava," said Zipporah Allen, Strava’s Chief Business Officer. "This highly anticipated feature adds depth to what makes Strava special - a global community rooted in authentic connections. It also underscores our unwavering dedication to continually prioritise the athlete experience and what we are building for them."

This is described as only the 'first phase' of the roll-out, with photos and certain other shareables to be introduced at some point in 2024. As it stands, users can share activities and routes within the Messaging platform.

In terms of privacy, you can control who is able to message you or add you to a group, with the ability to limit to people you are following, people with whom you have mutual followers, or simply no one at all. Strava will automatically set these limits based on your profile visibility but they are customisable in settings.