It’s estimated that 1.5 million bikes are stolen every year and FBI statistics show that bicycle theft is on the rise.

LINKA, an Oakland, California-based startup, discovered that 85 percent of stolen bikes are inconspicuously ridden away.

LINKA focused on smart technology that immobilizes the wheel and locks it to the frame while sounding a 100 decibel siren if the lock senses that the bike is being tampered with. Having to carry off a screeching bike should be more than enough to discourage most would-be bike thieves.

The Bluetooth-enabled LINKA bike lock will recognize you through your smartphone and will automatically unlock as you approach so you don’t need to carry a key. 

It also features tamper alerts that are sent to you via your smartphone in the event that your bike is messed with. 

The built-in siren is programmed to minimize false alarms by discerning between the movements of thieves and someone who might have bumped your bike by accident.

A lock this smart deserves an equally smart aesthetic. 

The goal was to create a design and form factor that cyclists would be excited to put on their bikes. 

Delve created a signature look for the lock that is modern, elegant and unobtrusive. The round, streamlined design highlights the lock’s enhanced functionality.

LINKA introduced the smart bike lock through a Kickstarter campaign that quickly raised more than four times its goal. 

It won a gold award in the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2017 competition in the “Young Enterprise” category. The competition is conducted by the IF World Design Guide. 

It also won a 2017 Eurobike Gold Award.