Digital Locks to Protect Bikes from Theft

While other European cities like London and Paris set up shared bicycles schemes earlier, Madrid is the first major city to offer a system that only uses electric bicycles (AFP Photo/Gerard Julien)

Berlin, London- Digital locks have become a solution for bikes’ theft. These are classic chain, bracket or folding locks that don't need a key. David Eisenberger from ZIV, Germany's cycling industry association says these locks can be opened and closed via the smartphone and an installed app.

These locks usually work using either Bluetooth or NFC (near-field communication), which work wirelessly over short distances.

They need battery power to operate. Another option to prevent theft is an alarm system similar to the ones found in cars. If the bike is moved, an alarm will make sound.

Stephan Behrendt from German cycling club ADFC also says that among this system’s disadvantages, however, is frequent false alarms, as well as being annoying, they also drain the battery.

Felix Lindhorst from BIV, the German federation of bicycle mechanics says the second category of bike protection uses GPS tracking if the bike gets stolen.

He adds that in terms of recovery, GPS trackers can help. These trackers are attached to the bike and transmit its location to the owner via smartphone.

Eisenberger notes that manufacturers often combine the different technologies.

Many systems are based on a combination of the digital lock, alarm system, and GPS tracker, he adds.