Bike Thieves, Meet BikeSpike

Two tricycles, recently tuned up for the seniors at Bay Oaks – Miami’s historic retirement residence – gone. Broad daylight. The tricycles were locked and hidden from view behind a gate on the private property of the non-profit old folks’ home, just this week; just before any of the residents got to ride them.
Who does this?

Most of us have had a bike, car or other means of transportation taken from us.
It’s horrible. Violating. Nightmare and rage-inducing.
I’d like to believe there is a special place is Hell for such individuals, but the optimism is fleeting.

And then my friend told me about the BikeSpike.

The BikeSpike movie is almost as awesome as the tool. Yes, that’s Gregory Holliman.

How we used to (try to) prevent bike theft:

• Register your bike’s serial #. Keep insurance, any proof of purchase, up to date pictures.
• Paranoia. Only park in secured, enclosed Bike Corrals, bike valet or else use your local bikeshare program.
• Find your bike locked with a flat? Don’t leave her behind! It could be a trick!
• Just ride a really crappy bike! Or ugly one. But, but… why??
• Sign every Petition asking eBay and Craigslist to require serial # posting with ads. (I did.)

But now really, really soon, there’ll be app for all that: The BikeSpike. It’s definitely the future of bicycle theft prevention. Let’s help get there faster.

“Spike your Bike with the world’s smallest GPS chipset with built-in antenna, an on-board accelerometer, and a connection to a global cellular network.”  

Basically, the BikeSpike is the ‘Find My iPhone’ for your bike that we’ve all been waiting for. More than just allowing you and your local PD to track down your stolen wheels….

1. You’re at work. Someone knocks your bike over – at your house. You get a text message.
2. Your favorite city bike planner needs you to list all the places you ride so he can defend your safe-ish routes. You can share your data.
3. You want to keep track of your training stats and compete with friends on your team who supposedly hit 35 going up the Bear Cut Bridge this morning. Um, yeah. BikeSpike tells the truth.
4. In the event of a collision, the BikeSpike knows you’re down before the driver can even get away. Calls 911 plus your mom/significant other/roommate or whomever you designate.
5. On a happier note, your many fans can follow your progress in a race, and thus can catch you at all the good cheering points. It fits all aero in a spiffy custom carbon-fiber bottle cage.

Wives, moms and boyfriends: The only way to make sure you get one for your beloved bicyclist is here. Early Bird price is temporarily $149. Why not get one for your favorite TM writers? 

And if you’ve lost all hope, just remember: Sometimes, the good guys win!

• Bike Advocates Rule
• Craigslist Victory + High Speed Chase in the Pacific Northwest
• Lost & Found, Take 5.
• Local Hero, theMiamiBikeScene.
• Bike Love, the movie.

Keep your two (& three) wheels safe!