A reliable place to park your bike

In collaboration with the Province of Fryslân, 9to5 has developed the 'ParkMyBike' app. With this app users can remotely reserve, open, lock and pay for using a locker.

ParkMyBike is a native app that makes it easy to reserve, open and lock a bicycle locker.

Client and context

In 2016, the province of Fryslân requested 9to5 to develop an app enabling safe and easy bicycle parking. Our answer was ParkMyBike, the first app with which cyclists can reserve, pay and operate a bicycle locker using their smartphone.

By introducing the bicycle locker system near public transport, the Province of Fryslân wants to stimulate the combination of public transport and cycling. Offering a well-protected locker in a strategic location should make it more attractive for users to use their bicycles.

Functionalities

Rent and unlock

The fietskluizen app makes it possible for users to rent and unlock safes remotely. This saves the user time and effort and saves the county of Fryslân time and money by not having to install separate access control systems.

Insightful availability

The app provides the user with an overview of available safes in their region. Furthermore the app is able to direct the user to the safe providing a route and an estimated arrival time. This means that the app helps the user with renting a safe as well as getting there.

Integrated payment system

Every step of using a safe is done in the app. The ParkMyBike app uses an integrated payment system providing users with a quick, easy and secure checkout. This means that users never have to worry about payment when arriving at the safe.

Easy problem reporting

The app makes it easy for users to report if there is something wrong with a safe. Problems like damages to a safe, objects found in the safe and technical issues can be reported on a safe to safe basis. Is the customer having an emergency? A user can directly contact a supplier who's able to remotely fix the issue.

What has been developed?

Android development

Android app

An Android app was developed for the 'ParkMyBike' platform. With this app users are able to rent, open and close safes. Furthermore, users can use this app to settle their billing invoice and see their renting history. All safes in the vicinity of the user are shown in the app, guiding the user to the closest safe.

The app also provides functionality for maintenance personnel. Maintenance personnel have access rights to a specific group of safes, which allows them to service these safes. Maintenance personnel can see the status of safes and open them.

iOS development

Single view app

An iOS app was developed for the 'ParkMyBike' platform. With this app users are able to rent, open and close safes. Furthermore, users can use this app to settle their billing invoice and see their renting history. All safes in the vicinity of the user are shown in the app, guiding the user to the closest safe.

Backend development

API with Websockets

An API was developed to facilitate communication with the database in the cloud. API stands for Application Programming Interface; the bridge between an app and the data in the cloud.

For the 'ParkMyBike' platform it's quite important that users are notified of certain events - like a safe closing - as quickly as possible. To implement fast and guaranteed communication, websockets are used. Websockets open a direct line of communication between the server and the app, allowing an uninterrupted stream of data between these parties.

Web development

Smart dashboard

A helpdesk was needed to support the platform. To allow this helpdesk to fix user issues a dashboard was created. Administrators can use this dashboard to solve user tickets and plan maintenance.

The dashboard behaves differently depending on which type of user is logged in. Customer support staff are able to log in to this dashboard to see the status of reservations and see invoices billed to the user. Location managers are able to log in and open safes, lock safes and track down problems.

To develop the dashboard NuxtJS was used. NuxtJS is a web application framework based on Vue.js, Node.js, Webpack and Babel.js. The browser loads this Javascript framework, creating a dynamic website.

Relevant news messages

ParkMyBike — May 17, 2019

Fietskluizen geplaatst in Brussel

Niet alleen in Nederland staan nu Fietskluizen, ook in Brussel zijn ze binnenkort te vinden! Gebruikers kunnen via de app de kluizen reserveren, openen en betalen voor het gebruik van de kluizen.