Trust & Safety
Real riders. Verified bikes. Confident transactions.
BidBikes is built for the mountain bike community — where transactions are personal and trust matters. Our graduated trust system gives every buyer and seller a clear signal of who they're dealing with, without unnecessary friction or government ID requirements.
How We Think About Trust
Community First
Our system is designed around bike culture — we verify real humans, not just accounts.
No Heavy KYC
We don't require government IDs. Trust is built through verifiable actions, not paperwork.
Graduated Levels
Trust builds over time. Every signal you add improves your standing with the community.
Both Sides Protected
Sellers know buyers are real. Buyers know sellers actually have the bike.
Seller Verification
Seller badges tell buyers exactly how much has been verified — from basic identity to physical possession of the bike.
Verified Member
Phone verified via SMS. Real first name, city, and state required. Must be completed before listing or messaging on BidBikes.
Profile Complete
Riding style and experience level added to your profile, along with your full location. Confirms you're a genuine member of the riding community — not a faceless account.
Proof of Possession(coming soon)
Timestamp photo of the bike with your name and today's date, serial number on file, and a face + bike selfie. Confirms the bike is physically in your hands.
Live Verified by BidBikes(coming soon)
Walkaround video or live video call with the BidBikes team. Confirms bike condition, serial number, and seller identity in real time. Reserved for high-value listings.
Buyer Verification
Buyer badges help sellers know they're dealing with a genuine, serious inquirer — not a tire-kicker or scammer.
Verified Buyer
Phone verified via SMS with real name and location. Sellers can engage knowing they're dealing with a real, identifiable member of the community.
Profile Complete
Riding style and experience level filled out. Signals a genuine enthusiast who knows what they're looking for — not a bot or tire-kicker.
Verified Identity(coming soon)
Face selfie or riding photo added to profile. Confirms a real person behind the account and signals serious intent before reaching out on premium listings.
Secure Transaction Eligible(coming soon)
Video verification or advanced identity check completed. Unlocks SpokeSecure escrow checkout — full protection for remote transactions without meeting in person.
We also monitor for scam patterns
Our messaging system includes automated protections against common fraud patterns — overpayment scams, mover schemes, and automated spam. When something looks suspicious, we surface a warning and can intervene before anyone is harmed. Trust is a two-way street, and we take protecting both sides seriously.
What We Won't Do
No government ID required
We don't need your driver's license or passport to buy or sell a bike.
No selling your data
Your information is used to build trust on BidBikes — not sold to third parties.
No hidden gatekeeping
Every trust level is earned through transparent actions — not opaque scoring algorithms.
Ready to join a marketplace you can trust?
Start with phone verification and build your trust profile as you go. The more you verify, the more confident every transaction becomes.