Ever worried about leaving your pride and joy outside a coffee shop? Enter 3BO.MOBI
I love it when a new invention starts making waves. Even more so when it is a South African cycling gadget that now draws the attention of world tour teams. We’ve been following this journey closely. See what it is all about…
A clever new invention from South African startup 3BO.MOBI could be just what cyclists have been waiting for. Rather than simply helping you find your bike after it’s been stolen, this smart little device is designed to stop thieves in their tracks before they get away.
The idea comes from Stellenbosch entrepreneur and fellow cyclist Carinus Lemmer, who knows the pain of bike theft all too well after losing his own bicycle while travelling in Spain. Drawing on years of experience developing cycling technology (including work that contributed to Garmin’s popular Varia radar system), the 3BO team set out to build something better than a traditional GPS tracker. And you don’t even need an app – because it escalates through Whatsapp. Brilliant.
Here’s how it works:
- The moment your bike is moved unexpectedly, 3BO.MOBI sends an instant WhatsApp alert asking if everything’s okay.
- If you don’t respond, the system swings into action by sharing a live GPS tracking link with your trusted contacts, local security groups and, where available, professional response teams.
The goal? Catch the thief while they’re still trying to make their getaway. I’ve tested it on my own bike over an extended period and it works beautifully.
3BO trackers on the GIRO and TDF
The technology is already making waves in the professional peloton. A WorldTour team tested it during the Giro d’Italia, and several others are now evaluating it ahead of the Tour de France, where expensive race bikes have unfortunately become regular targets for thieves.
It’s refreshing to see a South African company leading the way with an idea that’s simple, practical and genuinely useful. Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping to recover a stolen bike, 3BO.MOBI is changing the game by helping cyclists keep their bikes exactly where they belong—in their own hands.
More on https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-gear/3bo-mobi-bike-tracker-gps-theft-alert/
