Paul's Policies

Every year, more than 2 million bikes are stolen in the U.S. — and fewer than 10% ever make it home. Even if you have the serial number, thieves can strip a frame in minutes, peel off stickers, and sell your bike before lunch.

I’m building a solution to end that.

Downtube ID is a new kind of bike identity and theft-prevention system. Here’s how it works:

🔐 We cut a small 2″ x 2″ pocket into the downtube of your bike frame and place a QR code and barcode safely under shatter-resistant glass. They’re hidden behind a custom cover plate between the downtube and the water bottle cage, which is painted to match your bike. This makes the ID panel invisible to thieves but easy for you or the police to scan if the bike is ever lost or stolen.

💡 I’m still in the idea stage and looking for partners with the right experience to help me develop a few custom parts — including specialized patent-protected screws and washers and a triangular torque screwdriver with unevenly curved edges. The unique shape would match a custom cutout, so only this tool could install or remove the parts, helping protect the design from copycats and patent theft.

📍 When you start a ride, you scan your Downtube ID in our app (or Strava). If your bike is stolen while you stop for a snack, the system can track where the thief is going. If the app isn’t active, police can scan the barcode and trace the bike back to the original owner — no questions, no confusion.

🔧 Premium Upgrade: Our smart mechanical lock uses a small AI-powered tool to tighten the derailleur’s limit screws with one tap in the app. This automatically shifts the bike into its lowest front gear and highest rear gear, locking the drivetrain in place. A threaded insert and interlocking washer secure the screws, making it extremely difficult for a thief to change the gears or ride off.

Our mission is simple:
👉 Marry your bike without fear of losing it — and divorce your attorney.

We’re building a future where every bicycle has a permanent, tamper-proof identity — one that makes recovery easier, stops resale dead in its tracks, and gives riders peace of mind.

📈 We’re now looking for early supporters, angel investors, and cycling community partners to help us bring Downtube ID to market.

If you believe bikes deserve better protection — and riders deserve better justice — I’d love to connect. Comment below, message me, or share this post to help us make bike theft a thing of the past.

#BikeSecurity #CyclingInnovation #Crowdfunding #Startup #DowntubeID #Strava #Micromobility #AngelInvestors #SustainableTransport