BicyCode

What BicyCode does

BicyCode is a French state-approved bicycle identification operator founded in 2004 by the FUB (Fédération des Usagers de la Bicyclette) and headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt. The company provides mandatory marking solutions that register bicycles in the FNUCI (Fichier National Unique des Cycles Identifiés), the French national registry of identified cycles managed by APIC. Its product portfolio comprises three proprietary marking modalities — the Résistante (durable) label, the Permanente (permanent) two-component adhesive label, and Sic Marking E-TOUCH micro-percussion engraving — covering all frame materials (carbon, aluminum, steel). The platform includes BicyCode Pro for bicycle shops, manufacturers, and fleet managers, the BicyCode Bike Garage (moncompte.bicycode.eu) for individual cyclists, and a Digital Passport (Passeport Numérique) for supply-chain lifecycle tracking, plus API integration into Orisha G8 and Shifter cash register software for automated point-of-sale registration.

The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market combining direct professional accounts, exclusive distributor partnerships (Shimano via MyShimano for micro-percussion kits; CGN France Pro for permanent labels and engraving kits), and a network of 3,000+ partner bicycle shops, manufacturers, and cycling associations across France. Revenue is generated primarily from per-unit hardware sales (labels, engraving kits), with the professional platform offered on a freemium basis. Adjacent revenue streams include commissions from the Bicytrust insurance partnership and referrals to the Cofidis 0% financing offering (up to €6,000, 3-48 months). BicyCode holds 55% market share among specialist stores (Union Sport et Cycles/APIC 2024) and is recognized as the No.1 marking solutions provider among French manufacturers and bicycle shops.

In 2024, BicyCode merged with Paravol and was subsequently acquired by Ocode (marking technology and private blockchain for FNUCI registration) and Roole (France's leading automobile club with engraving and connected-traceability expertise), consolidating the French bicycle identification market under a combined entity protecting over 600,000 new bicycles annually. The parent ownership positions BicyCode to potentially extend identification services into adjacent lightweight-mobility categories (scooters, e-scooters) and beyond the current France-only geographic footprint.

Name

BicyCode

Legal name

BICYCODE

Website

https://bicycode.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BicyCode is a French state-approved bicycle identification operator providing mandatory FNUCI registration via labels and micro-percussion engraving, serving 3,000+ bicycle shops, manufacturers, and cyclists across France under the No.1 market position.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bicycle Identification & Registration Services

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bike Rental, Demo & Tour Operators (Retail-Adjacent) (CRAMAHAJ), Bike Accessories Retail (Lights, Locks, Racks, Bags) (CRAMAHAD)

Keywords

• Bicycle identification
• Bicycle marking solutions
• FNUCI registration
• Bike theft prevention
• Digital bike passport

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulogne-billancourt

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Label and Engraving Product Sales: Sale of marking solutions including durable labels, permanent labels, and micro-percussion engraving kits to bicycle shops, manufacturers, and distributors. Products sold through direct professional accounts and distributor partners (Shimano, CGN). Revenue generated from per-unit label/kit sales.
2. Digital Passport Services: Digital passport platform enabling brands and manufacturers to maintain connection with bikes throughout their lifecycle. Value-added service for the supply chain ecosystem.
3. Financing Partnership Commission: Revenue from Cofidis financing partnership, where BicyCode earns commission for facilitating consumer financing solutions (0% financing) for bicycle purchases up to €6,000.
4. Insurance Partnership Revenue: Revenue sharing arrangement with Bicytrust insurance partner. Insurance enrollment integrated into BicyCode account and G8 cash register software for seamless bicycle protection offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BicyCode provides bicycle identification, marking, and registration services for cyclists and industry professionals in France. Its core offering includes three proprietary marking solutions (durable label, permanent label, and micro-percussion engraving) that assign each bicycle a unique 10-character alphanumeric code, registered in the national FNUCI database. The company serves bicycle shops, manufacturers, and individual cyclists through professional and consumer platforms, with integrated digital passport, insurance, and financing services.

Product overview

BicyCode is a bicycle identification and registration platform offering three marking solutions (Durable/Resistant Label, Permanent Label, and Micro-percussion Engraving) that enable mandatory FNUCI registration for traceability. The core offering includes the BicyCode Pro Platform for professionals to register and manage bikes, and the BicyCode Bike Garage for individual owners. Additional services include a Digital Passport for lifecycle tracking, Bicytrust Insurance for theft/damage coverage, Cofidis financing options, and Fleet Management capabilities. The platform integrates with Orisha G8 and Shifter cash register software for automated registration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paravol: Former brand that merged with BicyCode; specialized in bicycle protection and identification.

Products and services

• BicyCode Pro Platform A professional SaaS platform for bicycle shops, manufacturers, and fleet managers to register bikes in the FNUCI, manage pre-registrations, track activity history, handle bike buy-backs and returns, and order labeling solutions. Free for bicycle professionals.
• Résistante Label (Durable Label) Easy-to-install adhesive label (50mm x 16mm) with anti-transfer technology that disintegrates completely when removal is attempted, making it impossible to transfer to another bike. Resistance to time, water, and UV rays. Resistance rating: 3/5.
• Permanente Label (Permanent Label) Two-component adhesive label (45mm x 18mm) providing the most secure marking solution, suitable for all frame materials (carbon, aluminum, steel) without affecting varnish or paintwork. Application time: 3 minutes. Resistance rating: 4/5.
• Micro-Percussion Engraving (Sic Marking E-TOUCH) Portable micro-percussion marking machine with touch screen that engraves a unique, unalterable identifier directly into the bike frame using a tungsten carbide stylus. Battery-powered cordless with interchangeable support faces. Works on all frames except carbon.
• Digital Passport (Passeport Numérique) A collaborative digital service shared across the supply chain allowing customers to access bike information (invoice, warranty), contribute to lifecycle management (maintenance, repairs), and transfer ownership upon resale.
• Bicytrust Insurance Bicycle insurance offering theft and breakage coverage with replacement and repair for 3 years, no deductible, and subscription in under 3 minutes. Recommended by Shimano. Available through BicyCode account and G8 cash register software.
• Cofidis Financing Exclusive financing partnership offering 0% installment payments for customers from 3 to 48 months, up to €6,000, designed to facilitate bicycle acquisitions. No cost to professionals for activation.
• BicyCode Bike Garage (Mon Compte) Personal account platform for individual bike owners to manage their bicycles, track ownership, report theft or loss, transfer ownership when selling, and access identification certificates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200,000 bicycles protected since 2021 marking requirement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ShimanocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor of BicyCode micro-percussion engraving kits via MyShimano B2B platform. Shimano recommends Bicytrust insurance. Key strategic distribution partner for professional marking products.
• CGNmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of BicyCode permanent labels and engraving kits through CGN France Pro network.
• CofidismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive financing partner offering 0% financing for bicycle purchases from 3 to 48 months up to €6,000. Cofidis takes care of all costs, providing customer financing to facilitate sales for bicycle shops.
• BicytrustmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted insurance partner offering bicycle theft and breakage coverage for 3 years with no deductible. Integrated into BicyCode account and G8 cash register software. Recommended by Shimano.
• FUB (Fédération des Usagers de la Bicyclette)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUB created BicyCode in 2004 as pioneer of bicycle identification in France. FUB and Union Sport & Cycle co-founded APIC to manage the national FNUCI database on behalf of the French government.
• APIC (Association de Promotion et d'Identification des Cycles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-designated body managing the FNUCI (Fichier National Unique des Cycles Identifiés). APIC issues marking codes to authorized operators including BicyCode and provides VERIFY system access for law enforcement agencies.
• Orisha (G8)majorTechnology or IntegrationG8 cash register software integration enables automated FNUCI registration directly from point-of-sale. Checks bike status on FNUCI to identify stolen bicycles during service visits.
• ShiftermajorTechnology or IntegrationCash register software integration for automated FNUCI registration at point of sale, simplifying bicycle registration process for retailers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Decathlon: World's largest sporting goods retailer with its own bicycle servicing; a broad incumbent operating retail workshops where BicyCode marking is delivered and which could deploy captive identification.
• Specialized Bicycle Components: Major global bicycle manufacturer; broad incumbent in the cycling ecosystem that uses BicyCode marking and could in theory develop proprietary identification.
• Giant Bicycles: World's largest bicycle manufacturer and BicyCode customer; broad incumbent in the bike industry with the scale to either compete with or amplify BicyCode's identification services.

Direct peers

• BikeRegister: UK national bicycle registration database operated with police and retailers; functionally equivalent to BicyCode's FNUCI/VERIFY model in a peer European market.
• Bike Index: Largest free nonprofit bicycle registration service in the US; directly comparable as a national bicycle identification and recovery database similar in function to BicyCode's FNUCI registration.
• Project 529 (529 Garage): Paid bicycle registration and recovery platform integrated with police and retailers; comparable to BicyCode as a commercial registry with hardware decals and shop network for marking.
• National Bike Registry: US-based paid bicycle registration service tied to law enforcement databases; closely comparable direct peer in voluntary/paid bike identification and recovery.

Others

• Roole: France's leading automobile club and co-acquirer of BicyCode/Paravol; adjacent ecosystem participant with engraving and connected traceability expertise that overlaps BicyCode's technology stack.
• Ocode: Innovative marking technology provider with private-blockchain for FNUCI registration; co-acquirer of BicyCode and an adjacent/parent technology provider enabling bicycle traceability.

Emerging players

• StopLock: Emerging bicycle anti-theft tracking and registration platform; an emerging peer in the bike identification and traceability category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bicycode
• Instagraminstagram.com/bicycode_officiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bicycode

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BicyCode