Protect your electric bike: Here's how to prevent theft

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, both for commuting and pleasure trips. Unfortunately, electric bikes are also in demand by thieves. You can't always prevent theft, but with these tips you can at least make it extra difficult for thieves.

The number of thefts of electric bikes has been rising for years. As a bicycle country, the Netherlands is very popular with international gangs of thieves. The thieves open the lock in no time and load the bike into a van or truck to export it abroad. For the owners of the stolen bikes, this is of course incredibly annoying.

With these practical tips, you can reduce the chances of your bike being stolen:

Double lock

To start with the most obvious tip: always use a second lock. It's a small effort to use a chain, cable or shackle lock in addition to the lock on your bike. These allow you to secure your bike to the bike rack, a fence or a post. An extra lock is an additional obstacle for thieves; it takes longer to take your bike.

Always attach the lock to the frame of your bike. A wheel or rack can easily be detached and left behind by thieves. In addition, always make sure the lock hangs high. A lock lying on the ground is relatively easy for thieves to break open, for example by hitting it with a heavy object.

Quality

Thieves' tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier for them to break locks. If you want to make it harder for thieves, choose a lock of good quality. The advice is to buy a lock with at least an ART 2 quality mark.

The insurer may require a certain quality of lock for bicycle insurance. If you do not have this, the insurance may not pay out in case of theft.

On the site of the ART Foundation you can look up the quality of your lock and possibly look for alternatives.

Guarded bicycle parking

Going into town or another busy location? Then choose a guarded bike park. In many Dutch cities this is free of charge. This significantly reduces the chance of theft.

Busy location

If there is no guarded bike park nearby, it is advisable to park your bike in a busy place. For example, near a restaurant, store or market. It is then a lot harder for thieves to take your bike unseen.

The battery and display

No matter where you park your electric bicycle, it is always a good idea to remove the battery and display. Without these parts, your electric bike is a lot less attractive to thieves.

GPS tracker

You can choose to install a GPS tracker on your electric bike. This is a small, unobtrusive box that can be used to track your bike. Some models come standard with a tracker. You can also purchase such a device separately and attach it to your bicycle in an inconspicuous place. Is your bike stolen? Then in some cases a GPS tracker can help you recover your bike.

Extra lock in the shed

Often, people are extra vigilant outside the home about a possible theft of their bike. But even in your own shed or garage, your electric bike is no longer safe these days. Therefore, always lock the door of your shed or garage. Besides the lock on the door, more and more people choose a wall or floor anchor to secure the bike to. That way, your electric bike is double locked in the shed as well.

With all these precautions, you reduce the chances of theft. It is always important to stay alert to unusual or suspicious situations.

Report

Is your bicycle stolen despite all precautions? Always report it to the police. This is often mandatory in order to claim insurance. Moreover, reporting the theft makes it easier for the police to find the owner of stolen bikes. It may seem like a hopeless task, but the police regularly recover stolen bicycles.