1. Welcome to the Recumbent Riders International forums.
    You are currently viewing the discussion boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post and reply to topics, communicate privately with other members, download/upload content and access other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please,
    Join the community today!
    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Stolen bicycles tracked with covert GPS

Discussion in 'Gear and Equipment' started by NewsBot, Feb 20, 2012.  |  Print Topic

Thread Tools

Thread Tools

Page 1 of 2
  1. NewsBot

    NewsBot Fetching Recumbent News

    Name:
    I am a Robot

    [​IMG]​
    Environmental Transportation Association
    The latest weapon in the war against bike thieves is the SpyBike GPS tracker – a device the size of a tube of Smarties that fits inside a bicycle’s steering column and can track its whereabouts anywhere in the world.

    The £83 SpyBike allows a cyclist to track the location of their bicycle anywhere in the world should it be stolen. The SpyLamp nestles beneath an innocuous-looking headset cap beneath which hides GPS technology, the workings from a pay-as-you-go mobile phone and a motion sensor to allow the bicycle owner to track the whereabouts of their bike via a website using Google Maps.

    Once armed, any movement of the bicycle will prompt the tracker to send a text to its owner and begin to send details of its location, which can be tracked online....



    Continued...
     
    NewsBot, Feb 20, 2012
    #1
  2. myerscw

    myerscw

    Region:
    SouthWest
    State/Country:
    CA
    City:
    Downey
    Ride:
    Jetstream III
    Name:
    Curtis
    Very cool idea for anytime you need to leave your bike unattended. Especially in areas where bike thefts are high!

    Curtis
     
    myerscw, Feb 21, 2012
    #2
  3. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    SpyBike GPS Bicycle Tracker

    Looks like they're in the United States as well now...


    SpyBike GPS Bicycle Tracker​

    [​IMG]​

    We have partnered with Integrated Trackers, one of our suppliers for bait bike equipment, to offer a unique bicycle tracking system to the general public.

    Our bait bike program has been seen on various TV news shows. Now, you can purchase the same technology we use to catch bike thieves.
    SpyBike GPS Bicycle Tracker
    SpyBike is a covert tracking device that is hidden inside your bicycle steerer tube. The device is disguised to look like a normal headset cap to avoid suspicion. If someone steals your bike, you can use SpyBike to track their movements online and on your mobile phone.
    Free Online Tracking Service
    Should your bicycle be stolen, this vibration activated tracker will begin uploading its coordinates to our free online service. You can log into the WhereIsIt page and see where your bicycle was taken. This service is free for you to use.
    Extremely cheap to run
    Using a typical US SIM, each position upload costs approximately $0.00002. We do not charge you anything, this is just the SIM data charge.
    Anti-theft key
    Spybike comes with a special installation key. This lets you install and remove the tracker.
    Vibration armed
    When you lock your bicycle up, you can arm the tracker with your arming keyring. Should the bicycle then detect movement, it will send you an SMS to alert you. It will then automatically start uploading its position. You can then logon and track your bike.
    GSM fallback
    Should your bicycle be inside a building it may not be able to obtain a GPS lock. In this case it will fall back to GSM positioning. This is less accurate (approx 200 meters) but will give you an indication of where your bicycle is until it can obtain a better lock.
    Battery
    The tracker contains a rechargable lithium battery and comes with a charger. The tracker can go for months between charges as long as you remember to disarm the tracker before riding your bike.
    Covert
    The trackers main defence is disguise. It is designed to look inconspicuous. It appears as a regular headset cap.
    Configuration
    Initial configuration is done by sending the unit SMS text messages. Once it is installed, you should not need to touch it again. It is armed and disarmed with your SpyBike Keyring.
    SIM
    Your tracker requires a SIM card. Since it will use little credit it is usually most cost effective to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM and just top it up occasionally.
     
    A.D., Feb 21, 2012
    #3
  4. laidback cyclist

    laidback cyclist Supporter

    Region:
    NorthEast
    State/Country:
    OK
    City:
    Broken Arrow
    Ride:
    Ti Rush/V-Rex
    Name:
    Mike
    Unfortunately they would also be very easy for a bike thief to remove and throw away. Just unscrew the bolt, pull it out and throw it away. All that would be needed is a wrench plus 5-10 seconds and your lowjack device would be history.

    Even if it could be mounted inside the steerer tube below and separate from either the quill or star nut (depending on the type of headset) this would still be True (it would just take a little longer) because if someone even suspected something like this was installed they could easily remove the fork, get rid of it and keep the rest of the bike.

    To be really effective a device like this needs to be installed in such a way that it is not easily found and/or removed.

    Based on A.D.'s post, (apparently we were both posting at the same time) if the security key is unique to the device (like a vehicle ignition key) this would be a deterrent possibly making the bike to much trouble to steal. However, if the keys are such that by buying one of these devices you can unlock all the rest (like a locking lug nut) it would still be easy to circumvent. Before I spent $141 for one I would want to know what the locking system was like.
     
    laidback cyclist, Feb 21, 2012
    #4
  5. Geyatautsilvsgi

    Geyatautsilvsgi Supporter

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Seymour
    Ride:
    ?
    Name:
    Geyatautsilvsgi
    These are definitely neat, and worth considering, but like you I too "would want to know what the locking system was like."
     
    Geyatautsilvsgi, Feb 21, 2012
    #5
  6. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    Hopefully, if this catches on, there will be a v2.0+ with such features down the road sometime. :wink9:
     
    A.D., Feb 21, 2012
    #6
  7. laidback cyclist

    laidback cyclist Supporter

    Region:
    NorthEast
    State/Country:
    OK
    City:
    Broken Arrow
    Ride:
    Ti Rush/V-Rex
    Name:
    Mike
    A low tech old school method I learned years ago is to make up tags that say something like:

    "this bike belongs to Name, address, phone #. If the name on your service ticket is different then this bike has been stolen. Please notify me and the police. Thank you"

    Tape one to the outside of the steerer tube and one around the center of the bottom bracket (you will have to remove the fork and bottom bracket to do this but neither is hard to do). Then if the bike is stolen sooner or later it may be taken to a bike shop for service. When the mechanic removes either the fork or bottom bracket they will see your note and just might pick up the phone.
     
    laidback cyclist, Feb 21, 2012
    #7
  8. Lawnchair Limo

    Lawnchair Limo

    Region:
    East
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Knoxville
    Ride:
    Longbike Gulfst
    Name:
    Dwight
    I wonder if the anti-theft device would allow somebody at home to track the progress of a long distance touring cyclist, i.e. a spouse riding coast to coast.
     
    Lawnchair Limo, Feb 22, 2012
    #8
  9. Geyatautsilvsgi

    Geyatautsilvsgi Supporter

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Seymour
    Ride:
    ?
    Name:
    Geyatautsilvsgi
    AHA! Now THAT would make it worth buying (for me). I could track Willie G as he does his TAA(tour across america) and know his whereabouts all the time. heh heh:jiggy9:
     
    Geyatautsilvsgi, Feb 22, 2012
    #9
  10. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    Good idea. Per the article...

    Battery
    The tracker contains a rechargable lithium battery and comes with a charger. The tracker can go for months between charges as long as you remember to disarm the tracker before riding your bike.

    ​
    So not sure how long the battery will last, one would just need to charge up every now & then, or use a solar device to charge it up along the way. :cool9:
     
    A.D., Feb 22, 2012
    #10
  11. brodigy

    brodigy

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    Germany
    Ride:
    BMC
    Name:
    CB
    Hi,
    any updated on that? What kind of key is it? A unique or multiusable magnet or other "stupid" key?

    Best regards,
    brodigy
     
    brodigy, Sep 21, 2012
    #11
  12. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    Still no word about the 'key', but I turned up this video...

    ​

    and they've now added a SPYLAMP2 product as well, with identical features.

    5819.jpg ​

    Two nice features include:
    • If you forgot to arm the unit before your bike was stolen, you can remotely activate it by sending an SMS message. It checks its messages automatically every six hours, so it will begin tracking when it gets your message.

      The SpyBike runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Integrated Trackers says that the battery can go for months between charges. The unit will send you an SMS message when the battery needs charging.
     
    A.D., Feb 20, 2014
    #12
  13. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    Saw this and wanted to :update: this thread with the info...



    Per the website for the SpyBike product, it looks like they have quit producing it. Their only product for Bicycle GPS Tracking is now the Spylamp 2...and whether the Spylamp 2 runs on only 2G is unknown. :idunno:

    :update:
    While it seems the original spybike product is no longer being produced, an updated seatpost version is available through Integrated Technologies.
     
    A.D., Jun 17, 2014
    #13
  14. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    And FWIW, here's a video of their product from the BaitBike website...

    ​
     
    A.D., Jun 17, 2014
    #14
  15. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    BikeSpike GPS tracker improves chances of recovering a stolen bike

    20.jpg

    Bicycles are a notoriously easy target for thieves, but technology is here to help in the form of a new device that promises to help cyclists safeguard their property and recover it if stolen. Currently seeking funds on KICKSTARTER, the Chicago-based BikeSpike team has designed a GPS tracker that features a built-in antenna, an on-board accelerometer and a connection to a GSM mobile phone network that allows users to keep tabs on their bike via a smartphone or computer.

    NOTICE: Crowd-Funding-Risks can be substantial.​

    The BikeSpike isn't meant to replace a locking system, but rather add another layer of security, one that can be disguised with a custom water bottle cage. After physically locking their bike in the normal way, the cyclist can then "digitally lock" their vehicle by arming the device via a web, iOS, or Android app. If the bike moves out of a predefined boundary, the user receives an alert telling them the bike is on the move.

    Users have the option of making the location data public, along with a photo of the bike to make it easy to spot. Access to this information can also be granted to local law enforcement to increase the chances of recovery. The app even has a template to make it easy to create a detailed report that can be submitted to police.

    Besides security, BikeSpike can also act as a safety device. A collision detection system that makes use of the device's three-axis accelerometer can alert people in a contact list and share the location of an accident. The accelerometer sensor can also monitor road quality by looking at the vibrations detected, while parents can use the BikeSpike to monitor their kids while they are out on a ride.

    The device can also be used…

    …continued

    :update:
    I posted this for two reasons, 1)being that it's yet another way to track a bike if it's stolen and 2)for folks to realize that a Kickstarter campaign for a future product is not a guarantee of receiving said product if you are a paying backer. See comments on this page, regarding the product.(i.e. caveat emptor) Note: The http://bikespike.com website seems to be defunct.​
     
    A.D., Oct 20, 2015
    #15
  • New Posts
    • Page 1 of 2

    Share This Page