Nowadays, micromobility vehicles such as bicycles and e-scooters are not only used for recreational and sports activities but are also an important mode of transportation. As their usage grows, it is important to ensure the safety of the rider. Aftermarket devices or vehicle accessories are increasingly used to ensure safety for the rider and to make their cycling experience memorable.
This blog explores the reasons for aftermarket micromobility devices being adopted, explains how Micromobility Navigation and Stolen Micromobility Tracking devices have become common for users, and explores new digitally advanced solutions that are being offered in the market. If you want to read about this market in detail, please read our recent report Aftermarket Micromobility Devices: A 111 million device market in 2034 impelled by fitness, convenience, and safety.
The increasing use of micromobility vehicles and the demand for new connectivity-enabled features are the major drivers of Internet of Things (IoT) aftermarket micromobility devices. Such devices enhance safety and convenience and can afford efficiency benefits to users. To cater to the consistent demand from consumers for combined functionality of multiple devices into one, many of these devices have multiple features. For instance, the SafeSound Road Helmet manufactured by Coros is a combination of a helmet and headphones that lets riders listen to music, take calls and track directions and progress during the journey.
This section discusses new features that are often added to connected navigation devices and smart vehicle locks and how they enhance the riding experience for the users.
Micromobility Navigation devices are used primarily for navigation, however, some new features have been introduced in these devices including detailed maps and contour lines even for remote locations, tracking and display of training metrics and journey data analysis. These devices can often be paired with other devices including smartphones, fitness trackers, helmets, speed sensors, and micromobility lighting. For example, the Hammerhead Karoo 2 is a bicycle computer with a 3.2-inch touchscreen supporting navigation, auto re-routing, and custom alerts. It displays cycling metrics and biometric data, connects to smartphones via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and supports ANT+ accessories. With onboard 3G and 4G connectivity, it ensures route updates without the need to be tethered to a mobile phone. Some devices also provide additional safety features like blind-spot assistance (notifying riders about other objects near them) and crash detection, which immediately notifies an emergency contact and shares location coordinates in case of an accident.
Bicycle theft is a common occurrence. According to statistics reported by the Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom, between March 2023 to March 2024, 62,086 bicycle thefts were reported to the police in England and Wales. Bicycle locks are a key requirement to prevent a bicycle from being stolen, and some of these are now equipped with advanced features to notify users of any unidentified movement, crash detection, and location tracking supported by a mobile application. To allow a long battery life and wide coverage, these devices are typically connected using Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies. For example, See.Sense has developed the ‘Knowhere’ (a NB-IoT-based tracker) and Mobi Lock uses LoRa technology for smart locks in bicycles.
Consumer demands are evolving rapidly, prompting the aftermarket micromobility sector to incorporate a diverse range of devices designed to enhance the user experience. These include micromobility helmets, lighting systems, cameras, and protective gear.
The market for connected micromobility helmets is gaining momentum and their most common features include support for smart phone tethering, with microphones and headphones allowing riders to make handsfree calls, dictate and listen to texts, music, training tips, or directions. Some helmet models support short-range communications via an intercom system allowing multiple users to be connected to the same network. A few models also have cameras installed and can identify a rider’s condition such as drowsiness, and awareness providing warning alerts to prevent accidents.
Micromobility cameras have become more versatile and provide additional features such as panoramic view, AI based traffic analysis for riders, and collision detection. For instance, the Garmin Varia RCT715 acts as a dashcam and can record journeys and incidents, while some other models detect blind spots and predict collisions. However, privacy concerns pose a challenge, slowing their adoption as some users are wary of surveillance-related features.
Traditionally, riders had no alternative but to manually shift gears. Today, however, electronic gear shifting systems (like the SRAM eTap AXS) can be used, allowing precise and effortless gear changes mostly using a combination of handlebar mounted controls, compatible bike computers, and smartphones. More advanced systems can allow the system to automatically select the most appropriate gear at any given moment based on data such as speed and gradient.
Micromobility lights enhance safety by improving visibility on roads. This helps to address a critical need since although bicycle trips make up just 1% of travel in the US, cyclists account for over 2% of crash fatalities. Connected lighting, which can often by adjusted via wireless control, improves safety. For example, one Danish study published in 2013 found that cyclists using permanent running lights reduced collision risk by 19%.
The Aftermarket Micromobility market is rapidly expanding, driven by the increasing adoption of connected devices that enhance safety, convenience, and performance. Advanced navigation tools, theft-tracking systems, smart helmets, cameras, and lighting solutions are becoming more important for more riders. The demand for multifunctional devices, such as fitness-integrated trackers and AI-powered safety gear, is also growing. With continuous innovation and integration of disruptive technologies like IoT, aftermarket solutions are set to revolutionise the micromobility landscape, making urban commuting safer, smarter, and more efficient.
