British IoT startup Mosa has launched a smart bicycle parking trial in London to tackle bike theft and give cyclists peace of mind when parking.
Supported by a £100,000 grant from Innovate UK and delivered through London’s innovation catalyst initiative SHIFT, Mosa has installed 20 app-operated smart bike docks across London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre which attracts 50 million visitors annually.
The aim of the two-month pilot is to explore how innovative solutions can tackle the persistent issue of bicycle theft, and encourage commercial landlords to offer secure accessible bike parking that gives cyclists confidence when visiting these areas.
“We’ve conducted successful trials in London and Tel Aviv, where the docks were in use across various sites for months,” Mosa Founder Josh Liu told Zag Daily.
“During these trials, we recorded zero incidents of bicycle theft. The docks act as a strong deterrent, as most bicycle thefts are opportunistic, and thieves tend to avoid secure and well-monitored targets like ours.”
Developed in partnership with the manufacturer Giant, Mosa’s retrofittable docking systems are built under the highest security guideline (Sold Secure Diamond) to convert standard racks into secure parking spaces for bikes and scooters. The docks are also equipped with a smart theft alert system and bank-level encryption.
During the trial at Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park and Westfield Stratford City, cyclists can download the Mosa app to use the parking service free of charge. Mosa and its partners are experimenting with various pricing models and users of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park location will receive 45 minutes of free parking followed by a 50p per hour charge.
Though Mosa is confident that its smart docks are safer than other locks on the market, users will receive insurance coverage of up to £500 if their bike is stolen during the trial.
Josh said that by collaborating with Mosa, stakeholders can demonstrate that they’re taking extra steps to ensure safe and secure cycling experiences which, in turn, encourages more people to cycle in the area.
“With the hope of strong cyclist uptake, we aim to work with stakeholders to expand the network of smart docks across the area, creating a comprehensive secure parking system. This not only benefits cyclists but also enhances the area’s appeal to visitors and commuters, contributing to sustainability goals.”
Mosa launched its first UK public trial last year at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The startup has also conducted a trial in Cambridgeshire to bridge a public transport gap and offer its self-service docked bicycle-sharing solution to underserved communities with last-mile needs.
