Try to imagine your e-bike parked next to a row of traditional bikes. Your expensive e-bike will be the chosen target for thieves. The theft rate for electric bicycles is increasing and this even becomes the reason why some riders are discouraged from purchasing electric bicycles. After all, no one wants to invest money in vain. This article will show you how to prevent the theft of your e-bike and make every ride worry-free.
Theft prevention
Tip 1. Choose a reliable lock chain
Many bike locks can be easily cut by tools which means your e-bike is an easy target for thieves. Electric bicycles are expensive products so it’s necessary to invest in reliable locks to keep them safe and secure. In addition to built-in locks, there are many higher-quality varieties such as heavy U-shaped locks that have a fixed shape that’s not easily cut by pliers. These U-shaped locks as well as folding locks, chain locks, wire locks and many other types made of strong material offer greater safety for locking up electric bicycles. The lock industry is also constantly innovating. There’s a newly-designed chemical lock that helps to protect the vehicle by attacking thieves. If the chain is being cut by someone the lock will release an unpleasant chemical substance to persuade the thief to get away from your bike. Moreover, you can use more than one lock. With the additional reinforcement of multiple locks, a theft will take much more time which may prompt thieves to abandon your ebike in favor of ones that are easier to steal. As locks on the market continue to improve, you’ll find more products to lock your e-bike, increasing your confidence that your ebike is secure.
Tip 2. Choice of parking area
The second factor to consider is the parking location. Just imagine, if you randomly park an electric bicycle with several locks on a streetside do you think that your protective measures will deter thieves? The answer is no. A thief is far more ambitious than you think. He can transport your electric bicycle to another location and then take his time to dismantle your locks one by one. So, the lesson is to try to lock electric bicycles on fixed public structures such as fixed bicycle racks. This will keep a thief from moving your electric cycle elsewhere. In addition, a place with monitoring equipment is also an ideal location. Even if your electric bicycle is stolen, monitoring by CCTV will assist to quickly track the thief.
Generally, more theft happens at night compared to during the day. The reason is that night helps the thief hide better and there are fewer pedestrians at night. These are more favorable conditions that a thief is looking for to plan his theft. Therefore, try to choose a busy area with good light to greatly reduce the risk of your bike being stolen.
If practical, lock your e-bike in a location where you can see it or where others, such as a janitor or guard, can see it.
Don’t park your electric bike in the same location for convenience. This will give thieves plenty of time to plan their moves and more easily steal your bike. So, change your parking position from time to time.
Tip 3. Take removable parts with you when you leave
It’s a wise decision to take valuable removable components with you when parking your e-bike as this will reduce the resale value of your e-bike. The battery of an electric bicycle is one of the most valuable components of the bike. You can also remove your saddle to make it inconvenient for thieves to ride away. Take away as many valuable parts of your e-bike as possible to reduce the value of the vehicle and discourage thieves.
Tip 4. Mark up on your components
If you feel that it’s too cumbersome to remove the components at the time you can also try to mark valuable components so that the resale sale price will be lower or the bike will be more difficult to sell. In addition, this marking can help the police to identify your particular electric cycle easily.
Tip 5. Put on a siren
Install an anti-theft alarm on your e-bike. Consider installing an alarm with tracking, stationary, anti-grab and motion sensors to protect your ebike while also tracking its location.
The effect of this alarm bell is similar to a police car siren. It has a certain deterrent effect. You can attach your alarm bell to a battery or other component to give thieves an unexpected warning. Installing it on one of the lock chains is also very effective. When someone touches your ebike the siren will react immediately. Although this may not repel thieves with angle grinders it’s a useful deterrent for many thieves.
Tip 6. Install GPS positioning system
Install a suitable GPS positioning system on your electric bicycle so the location of the ebike can be tracked on a mobile phone. Using high-tech products to monitor your electric bicycle and other simple protective methods will greatly improve the security and safety of your electric bike.
Tip 7. Buy insurance for your electric bike
If you feel like implementing all these tips is tedious or you want to follow only a few of them, buying insurance for your electric bike is also a good choice. This can solve most of your troubles and effectively maintain the safety of your property. You should choose insurance products that are the most relevant and reliable.
How to lock your ebike
1. Lock the Frame
Avoid securing your e-bike only through the wheel, as thieves can easily remove the wheel and take the rest of the bike.
2. Change Lock Position
Make it as difficult as possible for thieves to access your lock. Here are some tips:
- Wrap the Chain Lock: Wrap the chain lock around your ebike a few extra times to enhance its strength.
- Position the U-Shaped Lock: Place the U-shaped lock in a way that makes it inconvenient for lock-picking tools to penetrate deeply.
- Orient the Keyhole Downward: Position the keyhole facing downward to hinder attempts to break the lock.
- Elevate the Lock: Keep the lock elevated off the ground to reduce leverage, making it harder for thieves to use tools effectively. However, avoid placing the lock on the top tube, as this can facilitate movement of the ebike and make it easier for thieves to attack with tools.
If your e-bike is stolen
If your e-bike ends up being stolen, don’t worry. There’s a golden search period a few hours after the theft when you have the highest chance of retrieving your property. Immediately refer to the following steps to help quickly track your e-bike.
1. Immediately contact the police to record the theft and provide:
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Your ebike information
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Where and how it was stolen
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The time and circumstances of your arrival at the scene of the theft
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What type of surrounding surveillance there was
Offer as much information as possible to help the police do a better search and track your ebike more quickly.
(By the way, a receipt that can provide your vehicle information and prove your ownership is very important because it may happen that the ebike is found but cannot be determined to be yours. Keep the relevant receipts or purchase information. Some free registration sites where you can register your electric bicycle’s information can also be used as evidence.)
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Post the news of your electric bike being stolen on social media platforms. Provide your ebike information in as much detail as possible. Add the location and time of the theft and forward it to others on social media.
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If you have purchased insurance contact your insurance company in good time. This is because some companies have policies that require declarations to be made within a certain time limit. Be careful not to miss the deadline for reimbursement.
According to the experience of the police, the best solution to avoid theft is to not implement any security measures but to keep your bike with you at all times. The benefit of the folding electric bike is that you can take it anywhere.
An electric bicycle is a high investment. You can improve the safety of your electric bicycle by applying more protective measurements. If you follow the above suggestions to protect your possession, the chances of it being stolen will be greatly reduced. Improve protective methods, purchase insurance and register property information in advance to help you better protect your electric bike.