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BikeTalk is a proximity radio for cyclists. Open the app, pick a handle, and tap to go live — everyone within ~60 metres hears you instantly. Audio goes directly between phones using Apple's MultipeerConnectivity (the same peer-to-peer technology behind AirDrop). No cellular signal, no accounts, no servers, no tracking.

Your handle is the name other riders see when you talk — like a CB radio callsign. Pick something short that your group will recognise. You can change it any time in Settings or on the main screen.

Any Bluetooth headphones paired with your iPhone. AirPods, Shokz OpenRun, bone conduction headsets, and helmet-mounted speakers have all been tested. You can also just use the phone speaker if you prefer.

Everyone within ~60 metres who has BikeTalk open. If someone nearby has the app open, they'll hear you — like an open radio frequency.

Anyone within range who has BikeTalk open can hear you, just like a CB radio. Don't say anything you wouldn't say on an open frequency.

BikeTalk uses Apple's MultipeerConnectivity framework, which discovers nearby devices over peer-to-peer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. iOS requires the Local Network permission for any app that communicates with other devices on the local network. Without it, the app can't find other riders.

BikeTalk uses Bluetooth for two things: discovering and connecting to nearby riders via MultipeerConnectivity, and routing audio through your Bluetooth headphones. Without Bluetooth permission, the app cannot find other riders or use wireless headphones.

To capture your voice when you toggle on so it can be transmitted to nearby riders. Audio is only captured while your mic is live, is sent directly to nearby peers, and is never recorded or stored.

Check these things:

• Both phones must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on (they don't need to be on the same Wi-Fi network — just have Wi-Fi enabled in Control Center).
• The app must be open and foregrounded on both devices.
• Stay within ~60 metres of each other.
• Make sure your mic is toggled on (the button should be blue/accent-coloured, not gray).
• Make sure you've granted Local Network, Bluetooth, and Microphone permissions in Settings.

About 60 metres line-of-sight. Range is reduced by buildings, terrain, or riders between you. In practice, it covers a typical group ride comfortably — the front of the group can talk to the back.

Everyone can talk at the same time — it's a group conversation, not a walkie-talkie. Audio from all active speakers is mixed together in real time. MultipeerConnectivity supports up to 8 connected peers.

Yes. Nothing about BikeTalk depends on cellular networks, phone numbers, or regional services. If two iPhones are nearby with the app open, it works.

BikeTalk uses Apple's MultipeerConnectivity framework — the same technology behind AirDrop. It creates a direct connection between nearby iPhones over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. No internet, no cellular signal, and no server is involved. MultipeerConnectivity supports up to 8 connected peers.

Continuous voice chat with the screen on uses meaningful battery — expect similar drain to a voice call. We recommend a handlebar mount and keeping the "Keep screen on" setting off when you don't need it. For a battery-aware pre-ride check, try our companion app BikeBatt.

Audio continues playing when the screen locks (the app uses background audio mode). You can toggle your mic with your headphone's play/pause button even when the screen is off — that's the recommended way to use BikeTalk while riding.

BikeTalk uses a toggle model, not push-to-talk. Tap once to go live, tap again to mute. This is safer than holding a button while riding. Use your headphone's play/pause button and you never need to touch your phone at all — hands stay on the bars.

All Bluetooth headphones. BikeTalk listens for the standard play/pause command that every headphone sends, whether it's AirPods, Shokz, Jabra, Bose, or Beats. If your headphones have a play/pause button, it'll work.

Not while BikeTalk is running. BikeTalk takes over the play/pause button for mic control and claims the audio session. Use one or the other per ride. Music coexistence is on the roadmap for a future version.

No. Audio is transmitted in real time directly between devices using Apple's MultipeerConnectivity framework. It never touches the internet, never passes through any server, and is never recorded or stored. When you mute, the audio stops.

No. No analytics, no tracking, no accounts, no servers. See our Privacy Policy for full details.