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Are Electric Bikes More Likely to Get Stolen? (Facts & Figures)
Bicycles are among the most stolen items ever. They are useful, valuable, and very attractive to thieves worldwide. Now put an expensive motor and battery on a bicycle – you have a mouthwatering prize for bicycle thieves.
E-Bike theft has since been a common problem, but with the introduction of electric bikes, bike theft has skyrocketed. Current trends show that an e-bike is up to three times more likely to be stolen than a standard bike.
In this article, I’ll give some extremely important facts on why e-bikes are prone to theft and how to keep your e-bike from being stolen. A lot depends on your environment’s security system, but there are additional things you should be aware of and consider.
Yes, Because of the higher pricing, electric bikes are three times more likely to be stolen than conventional bikes. It’s more than just theentire bike that can be lost. E-bikes are powered by expensive batteries that can often be removed to help the rider recharge quickly without too much hassle.
Electric E-bikes Get More Stolen Because:
- Electric Bikes are extremely valuable
- Expensive batteries power the
- It can be stolen and used personally
- They can be resold to private individuals or criminal organizations
- E-bikes especially branded ones are highly valuable and cost thousands of dollars.
E-Bike Theft Statistics
In the Netherlands, the number of reported thefts of electric bicycles (e-bikes) has increased considerably since last year.
A 25% increase in e-bike theft was observed in 2021 compared to 2020. In the last two years, e-bike theft has increased by 74%, even in the Netherlands. In absolute figures, there are now 22,593 complaints per year. This follows from the analysis of the figures from the National Police report by the Foundation to tackle bicycle and e-bike theft called SAFE.
In 2021, there were also 26,365 reports of theft of regular bicycles. This is a decrease of 45% compared to the 47,944 complaints in 2020.
In October 2020, the number of bicycles, including those with electric motors, reported stolen in New York from March to September 21 was 4,477, an increase of 27% from the 3,507 reported stolen during the same period last year, according to police. And now, in 2022, the rate has increased at a shocking rate, and in 2022, every 30 seconds, a bicycle is stolen in the United States.
How Many Bikes Are Stolen Each Year?
A huge number of bicycles are stolen every year. An estimated 2 million bicycles are stolen annually in the United States.
In europe, this number has increased to an impressive 4 million bicycles. As cycling becomes more popular, these numbers are likely to increase.
Electric bikes are particularly at risk of theft. They are more valuable and noticeable and are becoming more popular daily. It would be best if you were on your guard to keep your electric bike safe from thieves.
Fortunately, keeping your e-bike safe doesn’t require special alarm systems or fancy devices. The precautions are the same as a regular bike in many ways.
This means using the proper lock, finding a safe place, and locking it properly. There are some extra things to consider with e-bikes, like the battery, but everything is fine.
How Do I Keep My Electric Bike from Being Stolen?
Get a good e-bike lock
Bike chains and locks could be more secure because thieves can figure out ways to cut them with bolt cutters. It’s always best to get something like a U-lock, which is strong enough to withstand the attempts of most thieves. Nothing beats a good of outdoor padlock.
Maybe grab a second lock while you’re at it
If you already have a good U-lock, a chain or cable lock can serve as a second. Locking your bike with two locks means thieves have to do twofold work to steal. Run the cable/chain through both wheels and then around another safe spot.
Secure the bike through the frame
Some parts of a bicycle are easier for thieves to get around. For example, thieves can lift a bike and get away if you lock a bike under the handlebars. There should be a rear triangle on the bike that a lock can still be threaded through. Do this, and make sure you lock the rear wheel as well.
Make the thief’s life truly miserable
Bike thieves only have a little time to steal your bike, so why not make it difficult for them to do so? Hooking up your bike to a couple of shopping carts at the market? That would be ridiculous. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to walk five bikes at a time?
Choose the right place to lock your bike
How you lock your e-bike is important. It’s easy to hit the road and lock up the bike at the first thing that feels safe. However, many items are deceptively easy to bypass. Wire mesh fences are notoriously easy to cut. There are better places to hook up to an e-bike than an old bench.
Leave your bike in a private place at home
When you park your bike at home, put it somewhere private and out of sight. In the garage, shed, or inside your home. Many cyclists insist on securing their bikes at home as well. If there’s a home break-in, bikes are usually easy targets (and maybe even a getaway vehicle!). In short, keep your e-bike safe and out of sight at home.
Try locking your bike in a public place when you’re out
If you lock your bike in a super crowded place, it will likely be noticed. Make sure where you leave your bike is: Very well-lit also by. Heavily trafficked but not of. Sight, if you are in the public part of the city or an area with heavy traffic.
Register your bike and get insurance
A serial number on your bike will make it easier to track down if it is stolen. If the worst happens and your bike is gone forever, having insurance will at least allow you to buy a new one. You will need to get some special insurance for electric bikes.
How Can I Track My Stolen Electric Bike?
Another GPS monitoring system under development is Bike Trak. “Bike Trak will notify you if your bike moves suddenly and monitor it if it is stolen. You’ll get a link to check your bike’s position on your smartphone or computer. You may email your link to the police for assistance locating your item!”
Are Bike Trackers Worth It?
Having a bike tracker installed is the best way to make sure that if your motorcycle is stolen, you have a good chance of getting it back. But only if it has been installed correctly. And not if professional thieves can easily outmatch the tracker’s features.
What Is the Best Bike GPS Tracker?
- Best Car & Bike Gps Tracker in India One lap Micro – Waterproof Hidden GPS Tracker.
- Autowiz Obd Gps Car Tracker.
- USGlobalSat USB GPS receiver.
- Acumen Tracker UC 900 GPS Locator.
- Ramrod Supreme Google Link GT02A GPS Tracker.
- Akari Gt02A GPS Tracker Device.
- Zaicus ST-901 Waterproof GSM GPS Tracker with built-in battery.
Final Verdict
In summary, e-bike thefts are avoidable if precautions are taken. I am certain that you will be much more informed about the dangers of thieves and the actions to avoid the needless loss of your valuable possessions due to this advice.
Arjun Mertiya
Author
Arjun Mertiya is a top-selling professional mtb and ebikes writer who lives what he writes as an automotive engineering graduate. He have 8 years in hand experience of ebikes and MTB testing in India. Arjun is passionate about technical writing specifically on MTB and ebikes.
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