Looks like a pretty good idea, would let me relax a little more at my desk knowing my bike is a little safer locked up outside. Probably could be used for some unsafe/illegal tracking if one wanted to but for a bike it would be great.

(FYI not involved whatsoever in the project, just stumbled up on it)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/.../the-bikespike

PROTECT YOUR RIDE, SPIKE YOUR BIKE!
The BikeSpike is backed by the world’s smallest GPS chipset with a built-in antenna, an on-board accelerometer, and a connection to a global cellular network.

What does it do?
•Monitor your bike's location on a map using your phone or computer
•Grant temporary access to local law enforcement, helping increase the chances of recovery.
•Digitally "lock" your bike and receive a notification if your bike moves from it's geo-fenced location or if someone even tampers with it.
•Collision detection system can alert key members of your contact list and share the location of an accident.
•Share your stats (distance, speed, and courses...) with friends, coaches and spectators.
•Monitor your children and get notified if they ride out of their safe zone.
•Our open API allows developers to create gaming and fitness apps that you can download and use with the device or use the data created from the BikeSpike to integrate with the existing apps you already love. Export a GPX file.
•PLUS, with the Hacker Pack, you can connect it to a motorcycle or other on-board batteries for a continual charge

pretty cool, probably not something I would actually purchase, but, i can see how some folks would want it, particularly for the higher dollar bikes.

Not seeing it, unless they can get the cost of the unit very low.

Do you want to pay for another GPS unit? and another cell phone connection.

An app that can use hardware many people already have, such as a Garmin would appear to be a better approach.

Now an Ant+, and low powered Bluetooth enabled head unit, with GPS, cyclecomputer functions, power capability, that also had the theft function would be cool.

I want integrated electronics on the bike that do everything I want, not more stand alone devices with which to futz.

Any bike that would justify the likely cost of the unit and service shouldn't be left unattended in the first place.

while i tend to agree, some people that can afford those high end bikes simply don't care and will spend the coin on it.

Some folks have those high end bikes swiped right from their houses...

However, the LAST thing I want is another recurring monthly communication bill. No thanks.

I have to leave mine unattended when I go to work. I have a guard cat protecting it, but not everybody is afraid of tabbies.

The police's neighborhood watch program has warned us that there was a string of break-ins in northern Seattle last fall, and that bikes were among the things being stolen.

But how much does it weigh? Will it affect my performance on Strava?

As I commented in the thread about this gizmo in the E&L forum, it only makes sense as a tracking/anti-theft device if it is inside the frame, well hidden and/or can't be removed without cutting the frame. Theft recovery devices work best when the thief does not realize that it's there.

So... I own 7 bikes, times 6.99 each for data? Nope, oh yea, mount it on the bike I ride? suppose one of the otehrs gets stolen, suppose I bring a backup bike to a ride, it gets stolen... too expensive.

Sounds good, but ya, pricey. Also, unless also somehow tamper sensitive triggered and/or secured w nonstandard fasteners, thieves could unscrew the device, leave it there and take the bike "unnoticed" by it. I could see using something that was motion activated that RF signaled a portable receiver. That too would likely be costly to get adequate signal strength and range to be useful.

If they become popular or the thief suspects it is on the bike, they will do like they do stealing cars or motorcycles. They swipe the bike, park it in a neutral place for a day or two, and if cops don't show up, they have a bike. If cops show up, then they don't get caught.