In Lyon, the figures speak for themselves: 3,800 bicycles were stolen in 2023, compared to 4,200 last year, according to the Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police. And these official figures only reflect part of the reality, with many victims deciding not to file a complaint. Faced with this scourge and the glaring lack of secure parking, two young Lyon entrepreneurs, Marie-Charlotte Prudent and Jérémy Chanteperdrix, decided to take action. Their project: to develop an innovative storage solution for bicycles and scooters, designed as a practical alternative to overly exposed public racks.
Local guards to reassure cyclists
Their initiative took shape with SafeKeeper, an app launched this summer. The principle is simple: connect owners of a bicycle or scooter with individuals willing to temporarily store them, known as "bikesitters." These individuals offer a garage, a yard, or a secure cellar, accessible via the app. In just a few weeks, nearly 500 "bikesitters" have already signed up in the Lyon metropolitan area. This success illustrates the scale of demand and the need for concrete solutions in the face of a growing sense of insecurity.
A win-win service
Cyclists benefit from reliable parking, and bikesitters are compensated and recognized for their contribution to soft mobility. For the creators of SafeKeeper, this is a pragmatic way to support the rise of cycling in the city while creating a network of trust. It remains to be seen whether this local idea can spread to other cities, where bicycle thefts are also exploding. In Lyon, at least, the fight against wire-cutting thieves has found a new ally.
What should we quickly remember?
In Lyon, the figures speak for themselves: 3,800 bicycles stolen in 2023, 4,200 last year, according to the Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police. And
