Nov 26th 2013, 13:58, by Jordan Crook
If people feel comfortable renting out their houses, and cars, to strangers, why not bikes?
That's the question that the Lock8 founders asked themselves, inevitably leading to one of the first true smart locks for bikes. Plus, Lock8 uses its smart lock, paired with a mobile app, to facilitate a peer-to-peer marketplace.
Today, Lock8 surpassed its funding goal on Kickstarter, with six days to spare.
Lock8 also happened to be the winner at our first-ever TechCrunch Disrupt Europe Battlefield.
The company launched the Kickstarter campaign on our stage last month, and has now received more than $80,000 with a few days left to spare.
Lock8 works similarly to smart locks in homes; keyless unlock via pairing with a smartphone app. The Lock8 is installed onto the bike and is packed with sensors, which can alert the owner if someone is trying to steal the bike.
If the thief manages to get the bike unlocked, the owner's phone can track the bike and even set off a remote alarm.
The idea is that, eventually, bike robbers will recognize the Lock8 and beware, paving the way for more trusting cyclists. Then, bikers can rent out their bikes to their friends or others registered on the service to make a little cash on the side.
The Lock8 usually costs around $200, but will be available for $149 for the next six days, during the campaign.
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