VanMoof declared bankrupt

[find_bruce]

Yet another bike brand has been declared bankrupt, this time Dutch firm VanMoof.

In this case one big question is whether the app for unlocking the bike will remain functional, with customers advised to "create a backup unlock code so you can unlock your bike through the buttons on your handlebar."

[g-boaf]

VanMoof's bikes employ various technological integrations such as app-based unlocking and GPS tracking in the case of a bike being stolen. The aforementioned statement reassures current VanMoof owners that bikes "will remain functional and rideable, as we aim to keep our app and servers online and aim to secure the ongoing services for the future."

However, in an almost immediate undoing of that prior reassurance, customers are also advised to "create a backup unlock code so you can unlock your bike through the buttons on your handlebar."

A good cable lock would do really well without the complications of relying on servers that are gone when the company goes bust.