Bikeflights rolls out RFID tracking for bike shipments

Bike shipping company Bikeflights has introduced RFID-based tracking for domestic bicycle shipments, giving customers more frequent updates on where their bikes are during transit. The company says the feature is the first of its kind offered at scale for consumer bike shipping.

Unlike conventional barcode labels, which only update when they are manually scanned, RFID tags can be detected wirelessly as they move through a carrier’s network. This enables more regular tracking events, allowing both Bikeflights and customers to monitor a shipment’s progress with greater accuracy and identify potential delays sooner.

The RFID labels are currently available for shipments within the United States. Customers can request a tag after booking a shipment, and it is mailed to them before their scheduled shipping date. International shipments are not yet supported.

The launch comes ahead of RAGBRAI, one of the largest cycling events in the United States, when thousands of riders ship their bicycles to the event. Bikeflights expects the new tracking technology to provide greater visibility throughout the shipping process and reduce the uncertainty that can occur between traditional barcode scans.