It's a classic win-win situation: the data-based networking of bikes opens up countless new possibilities that benefit everyone involved—from bikers and dealers to manufacturers and service providers. What's more, BikeCrowd creates the digital basis for the micro-mobility of the future. Because if our cities are threatened with gridlock, more and more people will switch to e-bikes and other mini-mobiles. With BikeCrowd, the platform for their optimal use and high-quality all-round services is already in place. If a wearing part needs to be replaced, for example, the workshop will also be informed if the user wants this. An appointment can be arranged together so that the spare part is already delivered and can be fitted immediately. This saves time and trouble and plays into the hands of both customers and workshops.
doubleSlash expert Andreas Strobel: "We have been equipping well-known German car manufacturers such as BMW with digital functions in the field of connected cars for more than 15 years. Time and again, we have found that digital platforms can be used to implement countless useful services not only for the car, but for mobility as a whole. That is why we have decided to open up these possibilities to the e-bike world."
Framework conditions become transparent for manufacturers
BikeCrowd provides manufacturers of bicycles, components and e-systems with usage data that can be used to learn a lot about the conditions to which their hardware is exposed—subject to the user's express consent and European data protection regulations, of course. They can optimize their products much more precisely and adapt them to the needs of users. And thanks to BikeCrowd data, they are very quickly aware of changes in general conditions and needs.
Not to mention the opportunity for new business models and collaboration opportunities—from accompanying bike-related services and digital collaboration between manufacturers and dealers to flexible additional services such as maintenance contracts. But BikeCrowd also opens up new opportunities for insurers: optimal placement of the offer, better theft protection, faster detection of stolen bikes or usage-based insurance rates, for example.
Traffic planners can use the available data to plan the next fast cycle routes in the face of increasing mobility without cars. They can identify neuralgic points for bikers or create new concepts for micro-mobility. This is good for our environment—and an effective means of combating the threat of gridlock and diesel driving bans in our cities.
Strong partnerships against theft
In addition to data-based product optimization and tools for optimized collaboration, BikeCrowd works with hardware partners in the field of tracking and communication modules. The owner of a modern, networked bike, for example, benefits from highly efficient theft protection—including immediate notification on the smartphone and pinpoint location. If he has an accident with his bike, the system can automatically send an alarm message with the exact location.
The developers: bicycle and networking experts
The new digital platform for the connected bike was developed by the ConnectedCar experts at doubleSlash together with experienced managers from the bicycle industry:
- Thomas Raith, former CEO of Derby Cycle and Magura
- Stefan Oelker, former Marketing and Business Development Derby Cycle
- Andreas Strobel, Edmund Hierlemann and Walter Melcher—the ConnectedBike team from doubleSlash. The IT and networking specialists have been implementing digitalization and connected projects for well-known companies such as BMW, ZF and Porsche for more than 20 years.
doubleSlash/BikeCrowd at the Eurobike 2018
July 8-10, 2018
Hall A1, Stand 108
+49 7541 70078-708
