We at Cowboy want to tackle bicycle theft, so the app includes several features to prevent it.
Digital key
You are the only person who can turn on your bike's electrical assistance through the App. Each bike is linked to a unique account on the App.
Find My Bike
If your bike is stolen, you can use the Find My Bike function in the app to locate where your bike is. The Cowboy bike comes equipped with a SIM card, enabling GPS location.
The Cowboy bike is tracked using a GPS.
The position is really precise (i.e. within a few meters) and allows to find the bike back quickly.
If the bike is inside a building, our customers can use the built-in Bluetooth scanner to determine their proximity to it. This scanner acts as a "hot or cold" interface and is super simple to use.
If you found back your bike, you can deactivate the Find My Bike feature by clicking on "Exit" on the top right of the Find My Bike feature.
Will the bike always send a position?
Cowboy’s mission is to give you access to as much data as possible so that you can find your bike back. Unfortunately, due to inherent technology limitations, we can't guarantee the ability to trace your bike under all conditions. If your bike is in an area without cellular network coverage, it will not be able to send its position. Getting theft insurance is the best way to be 100% at ease in case of theft.
How often does it send a position?
If your bike has a good cellular connection, you will receive a new location every 15 minutes if your bike is on the move. The accelerometer in the bike detects movement. When it stays in one position, you will receive a notification every 5 hours; this is to save battery.
Theft Alerts
How can I access the Theft Alerts feature?
Theft alerts are exclusive to Cowboy insurance or Cowboy Connect. You can activate an insurance plan in your app within 5 years of purchasing your bike. Cowboy Connect can be purchased anytime, at checkout or through the app.
Notifications are supported on the iOS app v2.8.5+, Android app v2.6.0+ and firmware v4.7+.
How do the Theft Alerts work?
Your bike will start sensing movements 2 minutes after you turn it off through your app, so you can easily lock it.
If someone moves your bike for a few seconds, you will receive a theft alert notification on your phone, followed by its GPS position. Click on the alert to keep track of your bike's location and retrieve it, guided by the Bluetooth signal strength indicator.
Note that you must be connected to the internet to receive such alerts. They will be dismissed if you are close by and connected to your bike by Bluetooth, so we don't bother you when you’re the one moving your bike. They will also be dismissed if you start a ride after the time of the alert.
Will Theft Alerts still work if I take out my battery or if my battery is empty?
Yes. A backup battery inside your bike allows it to send theft alerts and new position notifications. Make sure to leave your main battery in your bike regularly to recharge the backup battery and keep sending alerts.
What is the impact of the Theft Alerts on my battery range?
The impact on your battery range is negligible.
Can I disable the Theft alerts?
You can always deactivate Theft Alerts from your app. Go to Your Bike > Settings > Theft alerts to disable or enable them. Note that connecting to your bike before you move it will also prevent you from receiving unwanted alerts.
I don’t receive a Theft Alert. Is it normal?
We dismiss Theft Alerts when we think your bike is still with you, so it’s normal that you don’t always get an alert when you try to create one.
Here’s a step-by-step test you can take to confirm Theft Alerts are working properly :
Log in to the app
Make sure that Theft Alerts are enabled in your bike settings
Verify that push notifications are enabled for the app
Make sure that no special focus mode is enabled
Make sure you are not connected to the bike anymore by turning Bluetooth off on your device
Make sure you’re connected to the internet
Put the bike outside so it has good network coverage
No theft alerts are sent for 2 minutes after locking your bike, so wait for 2 minutes if you recently locked it
Shake your bike for a couple of seconds and confirm your bike starts blinking
You should receive a theft alert on your phone in less than 1 minute normally
If you don't receive a Theft Alert after waiting 1 minute, you can contact our support team for further assistance.
I am close to my bike but cannot find it. Is there a solution to find exactly where the bike is?
From Firmware version v4.19.4, if you manage to get close enough to the bike and establish a Bluetooth connection with it, a button will appear on Find My Bike to trigger an alarm sound. This will push the bike to make a loud noise from the motor, which you can hear behind a closed door, for example. This will allow you and the police to find the exact place where your bike is.