Brussels-based Cowboy, an e-bike company, announced on Thursday, July 13, that it has launched the Bikey App, a free application designed to support VanMoof bike riders amidst the Dutch company’s financial struggles.
“This project is an initiative from the bike-loving software team at Cowboy. We believe deeply that every single bike deserves to be on the road and that’s why we decided to build this project,” says Cowboy in its website.
CowBoy: Help generate the digital key to access bike’s info
The Bikey App, currently in Beta, enables VanMoof riders to generate their unique digital key, granting them access to their VanMoof e-bike’s settings.Â
VanMoof riders must secure their key promptly, as server outages may make it exceedingly difficult to retrieve the key. This may result in the loss of complete access to their bicycles.
The Bikey App is currently compatible with the widely used VanMoof e-bike models, specifically the S3 and X3. However, the Belgian company plans to extend support to the new S5 and A5 e-bikes soon.
The app is only available for iOS devices in its beta version, but an Android beta version will be released soon. Cowboy assures users that no information, including email addresses, is shared outside of the application.
A spokesperson told TechCrunch, “Our software team worked through the night on this and we must stress that it’s a beta so bugs may be experienced… but we wanted to get this shipped ASAP because it will work while the VanMoof servers are live.”
On the verge of bankruptcy
In order to ensure the necessary time for settling its outstanding financial bills, Amsterdam-based VanMoof sought legal protection from the Dutch court a couple of days back.Â
Due to its weak position, the Dutch company has temporarily halted bike and accessory sales.
On July 12, the district court of Amsterdam granted VanMoof (preliminary) suspension of payment (surseance van betaling) and appointed two administrators.
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