Bikera provides a blockchain‑based platform for renting and lending bicycles, using smart locks with LoRaWAN connectivity to enable secure, remote unlocking and real‑time tracking. The system records each transaction on a sidechain and rewards participants with iMERA/MERA tokens for validating usage, giving owners and operators a decentralized, tamper‑proof way to manage fleets.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Cyclists and bike‑sharing operators lack a scalable, secure method to lend, rent, and track bicycles, especially when assets are dispersed across multiple locations. Traditional lock systems provide limited anti‑theft protection and no automated record of usage, while existing sharing platforms often require centralized databases that expose ownership data and lack incentive mechanisms for network participants.
Solution
Bikera creates a Web3‑enabled cycling ecosystem that links physical bicycles to a blockchain‑based registry through smart locks equipped with LoRaWAN connectivity. The mobile application lets owners list their bikes for rent or lend, while renters can locate, unlock, and return bicycles using a token‑gated interface. Each transaction is recorded immutably on a sidechain, providing real‑time asset verification and provenance. Participants can earn iMERA/MERA tokens by validating network activity or by contributing bikes to the platform, aligning economic incentives with bike utilization. The system’s low‑power MCU design and LoRaWAN mesh ensure reliable communication even in areas with limited cellular coverage.
Target Audience
The primary users are individual cyclists and bike owners who want to monetize idle assets, as well as bike‑sharing operators, rental agencies, and service shops seeking a decentralized, secure platform for fleet management.
Features
- Smart lock hardware with integrated LoRaWAN (and optional BLE) for low‑power, long‑range communication
- Blockchain‑anchored asset registration and transfer on a dedicated sidechain, ensuring tamper‑proof ownership records
- Mobile app for bike discovery, reservation, remote unlocking, and real‑time location tracking
- Token‑based reward model (iMERA/MERA) for validators, lenders, and renters, enabling pocket mining via smartphones
- LoRaWAN gateway network and Raspberry Pi‑based nodes for decentralized consensus and proof‑of‑transit verification
- Open API for bike‑lending agencies and service shops to integrate inventory management and maintenance workflows
- End‑to‑end encryption and cryptographic verification of lock commands to prevent unauthorized access
- Firmware update over‑the‑air (OTA) capability for lock security patches and feature enhancements