We see reports daily about stolen bikes, and only the lucky few seem to get their bikes back when it happens. Indeed, around two million bikes were stolen in North America in 2019, and one is stolen every 30 seconds, according to insight from Project 529.
How To Keep Your E-Bike Safe
With those worrying statistics in mind, it’s crucial to do everything you can to keep your prized possession safe at all times. Here are a few practical tips to ensure you don’t become a victim of bike theft.
Keep An Eye On Your Bike
The most obvious tip is to monitor your bike in public places. How often have you heard the lament, “I just left it for a few minutes,” from someone running for a quick cup of coffee? If you’re at a restaurant or coffee shop, make sure where you have a visual line of sight of your bike. But if you do have to leave it somewhere in public, make sure you lock it to something secure. Your bike won’t be such an easy target in a sea of other bikes.
Store Your E-Bike Inside
Keep your bike inside and designate an area of your home and office to store it where possible. This keeps the e-bike out of the elements and away from the prying hands of would-be thieves. If you have a garage that no one can access, that also works, but we’d recommend using some form of lock, just in case. Sadly, we’ve had friends have their bikes stolen after thieves tracked down where they lived using the Strava ride app.
Invest In A Good Lock
You’ve spent plenty on your bike, so you must spend dish out on a good lock to protect that investment. A good lock is heavy and will require significant effort to break. Cable locks are some of the easiest to thwart with bolt cutters or an angle grinder.
We like U-locks or beefy folding locks as a first line of defense. Get a U-lock long enough to go through your rear wheel and frame with enough room to reach the bike rack or pole you’re locking it to. Though more expensive, we prefer the alarmed locks that offer a warning beep when jostled, then a wailing siren up to 120 decibels. No thief will want that attention while trying to break your bike free.
Remember that some parts of your bike are easier to steal than others. A quick-release seatpost clamp or front wheel is not only easy for you to adjust but also easy for a thief to walk off with. If you’re buying a rack to carry bikes on your vehicle, consider getting a hitch-mount rack with built-in bike locks. We often use these with additional locks to make them less attractive. Even using your U-lock to lock two bikes together adds a level of deterrence.
Consider Using A Tracker
There are ways to track e-bikes; some have connected systems built into the hardware. For less-connected bikes, there are other options. Though Tile and Apple AirTags can make tracking possible, they work on Bluetooth connectivity and rely on others with the app to pass close enough to register the device. Cellular-connected devices offer full coverage in most places and even notify you if your bike has been bumped.
However, no matter how careful you are, any bike can be stolen. This is why a good lock and your vigilance go a long way in preventing bike theft. Put simply, the harder you make it to steal your bike, the less likely it’ll get stolen.
Get more insight on bolstering your e-bike with our guide to the best e-bike accessories, and read about how to choose an electric bike.
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