// THE VERGE — MOBILE & WEB
TMD’s keyless bike lock is a $280 solution to a $60 problem
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I’ve seen lots of so-called “smart” bike locks over the years, but none so far could justify the added cost. A newcomer that got its start securing ATMs for banks is trying to change that. There’s nothing wholly unique about the TMD Chain Lock, but the combination of materials, performance, and insurance-friendly ART-2 certification makes it worth considering.
TMD’s first bicycle lock combines a Bluetooth proximity sensor and motion alarm with a slender core of hardened steel chain wrapped in a soft and lightweight sleeve of high performance Dyneema and Kevlar fibers. That makes this lock tough, yet flexible enough to conveniently wrap around your seat post when cycling. TMD also designed the keyless lock to be shareable with friends and family, and capable of withstanding shock, rain, dust, and extreme temperatures. That makes it highly suited to city bikes parked outside and ridden all year long.
I like the TMD Chain Lock I’ve been testing, but spending €249 (about $283) on something that typically costs far less is a big ask.
The chasm separating ATM security from bike security isn’t as wide as it might seem. TMD developed a centralized, keyless system for banks to authorize access to its ATMs for service, replacing the physical master keys that created a massive security risk whenever they were lost or stolen. It’s this same keyless knowhow that TMD now brings to the Bluetooth bike lock.
There are many advantages to turning phones into digital keys, especially in bike-centric societies like the Netherlands, which TMD calls home. For example, I could ride to the train station and have an authorized friend pick the bike up later. And the keyless convenience quickly adds up for those of us that use our bikes to commute to work, pick up the kids from daycare and football, run errands, and shop for groceries. In my home city of Amsterdam, it’s not unusual to grab my keys more than a dozen times a day to lock and unlock my bike.