Your customers love their bikes. When one gets stolen, how that moment is handled defines how they feel about you.

We sat down with Fully Charged to talk honestly about bike theft, what cyclists really go through, what good insurance looks like, and why more bike brands and stores are making it part of the purchase.

If you sell or make bikes, this is worth 10 minutes of your time.

Today, we're delighted to announce that Laka has acquired the bike insurance business of VeloLife - a UK specialist cycle insurer distributed exclusively through a network of more than 100 independent dealers. It's our fourth acquisition since October 2023, and the first public milestone in the active M&A pipeline we signalled when we closed our Series B last year.

For VeloLife customers, this means access to Laka's award-winning, collective-driven cover. For Laka, it's another deliberate step in building out a diverse B2B2C ecosystem, one that supports global brand partners, direct-to-consumer riders, and independent dealers side by side.

Why a diverse ecosystem matters

Micromobility isn't one market. It's many.

Some riders buy their bike from a global brand's flagship store. Others walk into their local independent shop. Some pick up an e-bike from a mass-market sporting goods retailer, others a high-end e-bike from a specialist retailer. The right insurance option has to be there, in the right form, in every one of those moments.

Three channels, one platform

That's why we've intentionally built Laka as a diverse B2B2C platform rather than betting on a single distribution channel. We work with global brand partners like Decathlon, Ribble, Gazelle, Riese & Müller, and Tenways. We protect riders directly in eleven countries. And we partner with independent dealers - a channel where trust, expertise, and local relationships still drive purchase decisions.

Where VeloLife fits in

VeloLife strengthens the dealer side of that ecosystem, bringing a curated network of 100+ UK bike shops into the mix. It complements, rather than replaces, the other channels we've been building, and gives us deeper roots in the market.

A key integration comes with the deal

Alongside the acquisition, a cornerstone of our dealer-channel growth is our partnership with EPOS provider Citrus Lime. The integration lets us embed Laka's insurance products directly into the retail workflow, putting cover in front of customers at the moment of purchase, and deepening our B2B2C model where it matters most. Together with VeloLife's dealer network, it's a major reason this push into the dealer channel is moving so quickly.

The M&A strategy, now in motion

Series B: setting out the intent

This marks Laka's fourth acquisition in three years and the first public milestone in the active M&A pipeline that Laka signalled when we closed our £14.1 million Series B - which included a dedicated £6.5 million venture debt facility from HSBC Innovation Banking, secured specifically to fund strategic acquisitions.

Venture debt: backing the intent with capital

When we closed this Series B equity round in July 2025, we were upfront about our intent: Europe's micromobility insurance market is highly fragmented, and we believe targeted acquisitions are one of the fastest ways to consolidate it.

A pattern of acquisitions

It follows three earlier deals:

• Cylantro (2023) - a French e-bike insurance broker
• CoverCloud (2024) - UK bike insurance renewal rights
• Luko's e-scooter portfolio (2025) - acquired from Allianz Direct

Each deal has added something distinct: new geography, new product capability, or new distribution. VeloLife continues that pattern by deepening our reach into the UK dealer ecosystem.

A market that's about to double

The growth opportunity

The wider context here matters. McKinsey projects the global micromobility market will more than double by 2030, from roughly $160 billion today to around $340 billion. Europe is expected to be the largest regional contributor, growing from $60 billion in 2022 to $140 billion by 2030.

The fragmentation problem

Insurance for this sector, by contrast, remains splintered across small specialists, legacy brokers, and underwriters who treat micromobility as an afterthought. We see a clear opportunity to consolidate that landscape with a platform built specifically for how people actually ride today.

What this means for VeloLife customers

30 days free as a welcome

Every VeloLife customer who migrates to Laka will receive their first 30 days of insurance free of charge, a small thank-you for coming with us, and a chance to experience the way Laka does things differently.

A different kind of cover

Instead of paying a fixed upfront premium, Laka members are charged monthly based on the collective's actual claims. Fewer claims, lower costs. And every member's spend is capped at a guaranteed maximum, so there are no nasty surprises. It's an approach that's earned us "Best Cycle Insurance Provider" eight years running, and it's now available to a wider group of riders than ever.

What they had to say

Tobias Taupitz, CEO and Co-Founder of Laka

"This acquisition is a key milestone in our bike dealer strategy - and a clear signal that our M&A pipeline is now moving. VeloLife has built a fantastic set of partners, and we look forward to welcoming them to Laka's network. When we raised our Series B and secured the HSBC debt facility, we were explicit that acquisition-led consolidation was central to our strategy. VeloLife is exactly the kind of deal that strategy was designed for."

Justin Rodley, Director and Co-Founder of VeloLife

"We are delighted to be joining Laka. This new relationship is a very good fit for our ambition to launch into Europe and beyond. Most importantly, it was clear that Tobi and his team share our passion for quality service for the dealer network and customers. With Laka's award-winning track record and strong brand, we are excited about what the future holds."

Dan Duran, Head of Marketing at Citrus Lime

"Independent bike retailers are at the centre of everything we do, and partnerships that strengthen the services available through the dealer channel matter to us. Laka's growth in the UK cycling market reflects a broader shift in how independent retailers are building more complete customer propositions. We look forward to seeing what this next phase brings."

What's next

More to come in 2026

VeloLife is one deal in a pipeline we expect to keep developing through 2026. As we scale from a UK direct-to-consumer business into a fully European B2B2C platform, our focus stays on building an ecosystem with real breadth: global brand partnerships, independent dealer networks, and direct-to-rider channels all working together.

Get in touch

If you're a dealer, brand, or partner interested in working with Laka, we'd love to hear from you. This is a big moment for us, and we think it's a good one for the cycling industry too.

For media enquiries, contact Harry Ashcroft at Perseid PR - harry@perseidpr.com.

We're officially joining forces with TARRAN, the innovators behind the incredible T1 Pro e-cargo bike. Tarran isn't just making bikes; they're redefining Future Mobility for families and urban life.

These are premium, intelligent bikes, and they deserve premium, intelligent protection.

That's where we come in. Laka is now TARRAN’s official insurance partner. We'll be making sure that every TARRAN rider gets the comprehensive cover they need to make their daily journeys stress-free.

hashtag#eCargoBikeshashtag#TarranBikeshashtag#FutureMobilityhashtag#SmartTechhashtag#Partnershiphashtag#BikeInsurancehashtag#UrbanMobilityhashtag#RideSafe

We are celebrating our new partnership with LEMMO, the Berlin-based e-bike innovators, as they mark their 3rd Anniversary in style! 🥳

Since day one, LEMMO has focused on crafting bikes that are simple, light, smart, and safe. To celebrate three years of innovation, they've chosen to give their community the gift of peace of mind.

For this special anniversary, LEMMO has decided to offer a custom, value-packed Premium Care Package, featuring:
• 2 free annual checks
• Lifetime access to GPS tracking
• A smart key-lock
• AND 90 days of FREE insurance powered by Laka.

We’re proud to back LEMMO riders as part of this great milestone!

hashtag#Lemmohashtag#eBikehashtag#LEMMOONEhashtag#3rdAnniversaryhashtag#Partnershiphashtag#BikeInsurancehashtag#LightElectricMicroMobilityhashtag#RideSmart

We’re on a roll.

After a streak of exciting partnership announcements, we’re thrilled to welcome a heavyweight of the French e-bike scene to our collective: O2feel e-bikes, where French craftsmanship meets sleek, high-end design.

So, what’s in it for the riders? As #O2feelowners join the Laka Collective, they get covered in just a couple of clicks and benefit from a few perks 👀

👉 Zero excess on bike claims (because that’s how we roll).
👉 Comprehensive cover for theft, damage, and recovery.
👉 The Laka spirit: you’re part of a community of cyclists who look out for each other when things go wrong.

We’re stoked to support #O2feel in their mission to transform urban mobility.

Welcome to the family!

We are thrilled to announce that #Laka is partnering with German leasing experts eurorad Deutschland GmbH!

🛑 The Challenge: While leasing a bike from eurorad includes comprehensive insurance, that protection naturally ends the moment the lease does. For the many riders who decide to purchase their bike at the end of the term, this creates a sudden "protection gap."

🟢 The Solution: Laka and eurorad have joined forces to ensure the ride never stops.
Now, eurorad clients transitioning from leasing to owning can move more seamlessly to Laka’s award-winning Collective cover. We’ve built a dedicated journey to make sure that as soon as eurorad clients become the official owners of their bike, they stay protected without missing a beat.

Together, we’re making sure the end of a lease is just the beginning of the adventure!

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Kino Bikes! From their "Made in France" roots to their incredible recent collab with Patine, Kino is proving that cargo bikes are the ultimate style statement for the modern city.

Laka now offers comprehensive insurance for the Kino community. No fuss, no nonsense, and the best part? If your bike is stolen, you’re back on a brand-new Kino in no time.

We're absolutely pumped to announce that Decathlon has teamed up with us once again to keep their customers protected!

Long-term rental is a total game-changer for anyone trying to navigate the world of modern mobility.

Here’s why it’s a winner:

1️⃣ Easy on the Wallet: Whether you're a student, a young parent, or just a hard-working human without a "money tree" in the backyard, buying a high-end electric or cargo bike is a big ask. Monthly rentals open the door for everyone to ride the best gear without a huge upfront cost.

2️⃣ Zero Stress Logistics: For many of us, our bike is our ride-or-die. It’s the school bus, the commuter train, and the grocery getter all in one. If something goes wrong, Decathlon X Laka has your back. Repairs, maintenance, and mishaps are all handled so you can get back in the saddle in no time.

3️⃣ Life Happens: Today you’re a solo student; tomorrow you’ve got a kid, a toddler, and maybe a very confused golden retriever. Your mobility needs change, so why stay stuck with one bike forever? Rental means your ride evolves right along with your life.

Decathlon wanted the "A-Team" for this service. They chose Laka to handle the protection side of things because our service is lightning-fast and built by cyclists, for cyclists. Plus, our friends at circuly are powering a seamless subscription experience.

Together, we’re clearing the air, beating the traffic, and making life a little simpler, one pedal stroke at a time.

Photos du Lakapéro #2 X Le Concentré Vélo, le 19 février à Lyon.

Crédit photo : https://www.instagram.com/l.m.medias

We’ve teamed up with Dolly Bikes, the experts in high-quality, Dutch-designed cargo bikes, to ensure their community never stays off the road for long.

For most owners, a Dolly Bikesisn't just a bike. It’s an essential part of daily life. From the school run to afternoon activities, riders depend on their Dolly to keep the daily schedule moving. When your routine relies on two wheels, a theft or breakdown isn't just an inconvenience; it can throw your whole day off track.

By partnering with Dolly Bikes, we’re making it easier for families to protect that daily mobility. Laka’s collective-driven insurance is built for those who can’t afford to be off their bikes for long, focusing on getting them back in the saddle immediately so the family routine doesn't grind to a halt.

It’s another step forward in our mission to back the best innovators in the e-bike world. Welcome to the collective, Dolly riders!

hashtag#Lakahashtag#DollyBakfietshashtag#CargoBikeshashtag#FamilyCommutehashtag#Micromobility

For leasing providers, insurance used to be a friction point that drains cash flow and slows down bike deliveries.

Laka has transformed this into a competitive advantage.

By moving from rigid annual policies to a flexible, tech-driven model, we help our leasing partners protect their assets while maximising their operational efficiency. Here's how.

Summary

💪 The Challenge: Scaling Beyond Traditional Insurance Limits
🚀 The Solution: A Bespoke B2B Infrastructure for Leasing
📊 Concrete Value: The Impact in Numbers
💡 Strategic Partnership: Proactive Risk Management
🏋️‍♀️ Technical Deep-Dive
👀​ Want to know more?

💪 The Challenge: Scaling Beyond Traditional Insurance Limits

When scaling a leasing business, insurance shouldn't be a bottleneck. However, traditional insurance models often struggle to keep pace with the agility of modern leasing platforms. Our partners typically face four key commercial hurdles:

1. The "One-Stop Shop" Gap

As leasing companies expand their portfolios—adding second-hand bike sales, financing, or end-of-lease handovers—they struggle to find a partner that can support these varied verticals.

2. The Operational "Black Hole"

Managing insurance across borders often requires a patchwork of local providers, leading to fragmented data, inconsistent claims processes, and administrative headaches.

3. Technical Rigidity

Many insurers demand high-spec API integrations or bust. Leasing providers need flexibility—the ability to sync via API for high-volume automation or via simple, secure CSV uploads for smaller fleets without losing data accuracy.

4. Cash Flow & Claims Friction

Slow claims handling and rigid payment structures (such as upfront multi-year premiums in certain markets) drain capital. When a claim is stuck in a manual process, it doesn’t just frustrate the rider—it delays the payout to the leaser, impacting the bottom line.

🚀 The Solution: A Bespoke B2B Infrastructure for Leasing

Laka has replaced "one-size-fits-all" insurance with a flexible, tech-driven integration built specifically for the speed and lifecycle of leasing.

1. Instant and Flexible Integration Processes

By integrating directly with leasing platforms, Laka’s API generates a policy the millisecond a lease contract is digitally signed. However, CSV integration is also possible and can be built efficiently.
The Value: Zero "uninsured" days and zero manual data entry for your operations team.

2. Flexible, Pay-As-You-Go Billing

We provide monthly billing options that allow insurance costs to perfectly mirror lease revenue.
The Value: Optimised cash flow by ensuring you only pay for active cover, rather than tying up capital.

3. Dynamic Pricing & Revenue Opportunities

We offer bespoke pricing based on actual risk variables—such as bike type, theft rates, or GPS connectivity—rather than a flat, unfair rate.
The Value: Partners can choose the commercial structure that fits their culture, whether that is providing the most competitive price to the rider or getting a commission for the lifetime of the customer.

4. Multilingual, Expert Claims Handling

Leasing is no longer local. Laka provides a single point of contact for claims across the UK and EU, handled in English, Dutch, French, and German.
The Value: Automated approvals for low-limit claims and expert handling for complex cases ensure the fastest resolution times in the industry, keeping your fleet moving and your cash flow fluid.

📊 Concrete Value: The Impact in Numbers

*If all required information is provided.

💡 Strategic Partnership: Proactive Risk Management

We don't just "sell" insurance; we manage risk together through a culture of transparency.

• Fairness & Transparency: We share monthly data reports. If your fleet demonstrates low risk or healthy loss ratios, we can lower your premiums accordingly.
• Client Insights: We provide data on loss ratios per company you lease to. This allows you to identify high-risk companies and educate them on better security practices.
• Proactive Growth: We hold quarterly workshops to review data and identify improvements, ensuring our partnership evolves with your business.
• Flexible Commercials: We offer flexible financial structures—whether you want to provide the most competitive price to your customers or generate revenue through commissions.

🏋️‍♀️ Technical Deep-Dive

We meet our partners where they are.
We don't force a single integration method; we adapt to your current workflow.

Option A: Real-Time Sync (API Integration)

The gold standard for modern leasing.

How it works: We provide API endpoints that plug into your workflow.

• The Laka Magic: The millisecond a customer signs their digital lease contract, your system pings Laka. We instantly create the policy, assign it to the frame number, and can even trigger an automated "Welcome to Laka" email to the rider.
• The Result: Truly "Instant Cover." There is zero gap in protection, and your data is always perfectly synced between your platform and our insurance ledger.

Option B: From CSVs to Real-Time Sync

For partners who prefer not to use an API, we offer a dedicated Laka Uploader.

• How it works: You drop a daily data file (CSV) containing frame numbers and values.
• Privacy-First: We are flexible with the data we require; there is often no need to share sensitive customer personal details to activate coverage.

👀​ Want to know more?

If you are interested in seeing how Laka can integrate with your leasing operations, you can access the following resources:

• Strategy consultation: A 30-minute assessment of Laka’s fit for your specific product lines and European expansion plans.
• ROI analysis: Custom financial modeling showing the revenue impact of switching to monthly billing and the cost-savings of automated implementation.
• Technical demonstration: A live walkthrough of our API and Uploader capabilities showing how we sync with your existing management systems.

How Top Manufacturers Turn E-Bike Theft Risk into a Competitive Advantage.
VeloSafe is a complete, connected protection solution developed by IoT Venture and Laka that integrates GPS tracking, specialist recovery services, and digital insurance directly into e-bike manufacturer systems.

💪🏻 The Challenge

Every year, bike manufacturers lose millions in potential revenue because of:

1. Purchase hesitation: Research indicates that a significant portion of potential premium e-bike buyers delay or abandon their purchase entirely due to concerns over theft.
2. Customer loyalty loss: Brands face a sharp decline in rider retention following a theft, as victims frequently switch to competitor brands when replacing their stolen bikes.
3. Dealer Complexity: Sales teams struggle to explain third-party insurance options, creating a difficult experience at the point of purchase.
4. Uncoordinated experience: Current insurance and theft recovery programs operate independently from manufacturer systems, resulting in poor recovery rates and customer dissatisfaction.

In high-theft European markets, theft anxiety directly impacts sales and customer lifetime value for e-bike brands.

🚀 The Solution

Developed in collaboration with IoT Venture and supported by a grant from the EIT Urban Mobility initiative (European Union-funded), VeloSafe delivers a complete, connected protection solution designed for direct integration with bike manufacturer systems.

Velosafe is a complete mobility guarantee, not just insurance. It integrates:

⛓️ Benefits Across the Entire Value Chain

👉 For bike manufacturers

• Brand differentiation
  Market "connected and protected" e-bikes as premium offerings that stand out from competitors.
• Revenue opportunity
  A closed ecosystem that is designed to replace bikes like-for-like. Thanks to Laka insurance, if the bike isn't recovered, it is replaced by a brand new one, generating revenue for the bike manufacturer.
• Seamless integration
  Ready-to-integrate VeloSafe software and service infrastructure with minimal technical work/effort.
• Post-purchase control
  Maintain better visibility and influence over the customer relationship, enhancing service quality and retention.

👉 For dealers

• Revenue Potential
  Receive a share of recurring revenue from Laka for each contract subscribed.
• Sales Advantage
  Offer customers a bundled e-bike experience with insurance and theft recovery included.

👉 For riders

• Total protection, minimal cost
  VeloSafe embedded technology, combining tracking and specialist recovery services, drastically reduces insurance costs for customers.
• Insurance Without Hassle
  Seamlessly integrated protection without extra paperwork and easy onboarding. VeloSafe works with standard locks (no extra/integrated locks required).
• More than just insurance, a mobility guarantee
  The bike is either tracked and found (via the tracker), replaced, or repaired (both via the insurance).
• Connected Experience
  Single app for bike management, tracking, insurance claims, and recovery coordination.

☄️ Real Results with Leading Manufacturers

Tout Terrain Partnership

• First bike brand integration: Tout Terrain, premium e-bike manufacturer from Freiburg, Germany
• Factory-installed solution: VeloSafe comes standard on the complete Tout Terrain e-bikes range, with 6 months free service
• Complete integration: Seamless experience combining hardware, insurance, and recovery services
• Market validation: Successfully brought to market maturity in October 2025

Full integration details available on Tout Terrain website.

🏋️‍♀️ How does it work?

👉 Manufacturer Integration Flow

👉 End User Experience Flow

💡 Want to know more?

If you are interested in the VeloSafe integration, you can access the following resources:

Strategy consultation: 30-minute assessment of VeloSafe fit for specific product lines and markets

ROI analysis: Custom financial modeling for revenue impact and implementation costs

Technical demonstration: Live integration walkthrough showing platform capabilities and manufacturer systems compatibility

Big news from the UK cycling scene!

Planet X Bikes, one of the UK’s most iconic bike brands, has partnered withLakato give cyclists insurance that’s as reliable as their ride.

For over 30 years, Planet X has built high-performance bikes that make top-tier cycling accessible to everyone. Now, with Laka as their official insurance partner, Planet X Bikes customers can access award-winning, collective-powered cover that protects their bikes from theft, crashes, and accidental damage. No hidden fees. No hassle. Just transparent protection that keeps cyclists riding with confidence.

Here’s to empowering more cyclists to push further, explore more, and ride worry-free.

After a successful four-year partnership across the UK, the Netherlands, and France, we’re excited to expand our collaboration with Decathlon.

Decathlon customers in Belgium can now access Laka’s award-winning, collective-driven bicycle insurance - designed to offer fair, comprehensive cover for every kind of cyclist.

It’s so great to see this partnership continue to grow and protect even more riders across Europe!

hashtag#Lakahashtag#Decathlonhashtag#Belgiumhashtag#Insurtechhashtag#Cycling