Electric Bike Theft Prevention: 10 Tips to Keep Ebike Safe

The unfortunate reality in the e-bike world is that these vehicles have become a prime target for bike theft. The combination of their high value, often being among the most reliable e-bikes, and usually insufficient theft protection, makes electric bikes an easy target for those engaged in bike theft..

Whether it's one of the most reliable electric bikes or a standard model, electric bikes are typically stolen in one of two ways: by dismantling parts from the e-bike or by stealing the entire bike. To protect yourself from both scenarios, it's crucial to have robust bike security systems in place. Here are some tips to safeguard your e-bike:

Protected Locations from Bike theft

Let’s address the obvious first. It might be common sense, but it still needs to be said: be cautious where you lock up your e-bike. You know where the bad areas of your city are—just don’t park there. Why increase the likelihood of bike theft unnecessarily?

Do everything possible to avoid shady places that are likely hotspots for bicycle theft. If you know that certain blocks are notoriously bad areas, park a bit further away and cover the last stretch on foot. Not only will this reduce the likelihood of your e-bike being stolen, but it also gives you a chance to get some free exercise!

In Toronto, we have lots of public and secured locations where you can park your bike.

Take your E-bike with you for Better security

photo by movin mobility

Sometimes you can't avoid trips to the bad parts of town. Maybe there's a farmer's market, or the best pizzeria in town, or the only WallMart (god forbid). If you need to park somewhere shady, try taking your e-bike with you.

Many commercial establishments, such as supermarkets and shopping centers, actually allow people to bring their bikes inside the building. Ask an employee if you can bring the bike inside and leave it near the door. Then lock the wheel to the frame so nobody can easily roll it out. It will be quite obvious if someone tries to haul a heavy locked e-bike from the store to their car.

Or if you need to charge your bike, you can leave it in special locations while you're doing other things.

Don't park E-bike in the same place

Avoid parking in the same place every day. Electric bikes are excellent suburban vehicles, and for this reason, e-bikes often become part of daily life. Many people use their e-bike as a daily driver to get to work, school, and so on. However, when you park in the same place every day, it gives diligent thieves the opportunity to study your pattern and locking system to prepare a targeted attack.

These types of thefts are hard to guard against because a thief might take weeks or even months to prepare for your particular lock, the traffic pattern in that area, and even set traps. I've seen thieves tamper with signs so they would slide out of the ground. Unsuspecting riders lock up to a "Stop" sign as they do every day, but on this day the thief simply lifts the sign out of the ground and walks away with the bike. Yet another solid reason to double-check that any object you lock up to is indeed secure.

Park E-bike in Well-lit areas for Better security

At night, park in a place with good visibility, preferably right under a street lamp. Thieves don't like being in the spotlight while they're at work, and having a giant spotlight shining on them as they work is a strong deterrent.

The decision is still out on whether it's better to park your bike near a lot of foot traffic. Unfortunately, many experiments have shown that at least in Canada, almost nobody will interrupt a bike thief at work stealing a bike. Studies have shown that fear of confrontation causes most people to ignore a bike thief at work or quickly walk past, avoiding contact. This means placing your e-bike near a high foot traffic area does not necessarily deter thieves from attempting to steal it.

In fact, placing your electric bike in a high-traffic area actually exposes your e-bike to many more eyes and, therefore, more opportunities for thieves to spot it as a target. On the other hand, parking in an alley means that thieves have fewer chances to know your e-bike is there but ensures fewer chances that someone will catch a bike thief in action if they find it.

However, when in doubt, I still prefer a crowded place and hope for the best in people. The fact that studies show most people will not stand up to a bike thief does not mean that thieves will have the big balls to test this theory. 

Bike Locks: The More, The Better 

When you add a second lock, it significantly decreases the bike thief's perception of their chances at a successful bike theft. They're not only risking one lock, but now they have to deal with two locks, and neither is a guarantee. All but the boldest bike thieves will see two sturdy locks and immediately walk past the bike, instead looking for an easier target. This is one of the best ways to increase theft resistance for your electric bike: just add a second lock.

If you want to choose best chain and lock you can find lots of useful tips.

Plan Your Locking Method for Protect from Theft

Lock your electric bicycle in such a way that it could be seriously damaged to unlock it.

This means you need to consider a few things. First, whatever item you lock up to, it should be stronger than your bike (and preferably stronger than the lock). Stick to things like solid metal posts, street lights, concrete barriers, and steel parking meters. Don't attach to fragile objects such as a chain-link fence, wooden post, a tree thinner than your wrist, etc.

If the lock and the attached object are stronger than the frame of your bicycle, it means your bicycle is now the weakest link, forcing a bike thief to cut the bike to steal it. If the only option for a bike thief is to destroy the bicycle to steal it, they will look elsewhere. Chain and lock need to pass lots of crash tests to meet market standards and demand.

Next, make sure that however your lock goes through your bicycle, removing it requires the maximum possible damage to the bicycle. Ideally, the lock should go through both the triangle of the frame and at least one wheel, preferably through the motor-wheel hub. This means the bicycle thief would have to cut the electric bicycle's frame, essentially ruining it, AND cut the motor-hub rim, ruining it as a useful wheel.

Example, Kryptonite Keeper 785 Iintegrated Chain Lock.

For a standard bicycle, this would usually be a deterring factor enough as a non-usable bicycle would lose much of its value after its frame and wheel have been destroyed. However, it has a slightly lesser deterring effect for electric bicycles since the engine, battery, and other parts could still be sold, even if the thief has to destroy the frame in the process. Nonetheless, it still creates more barriers which might deter a potential bicycle thief. The more of a headache you can make your electric bicycle, the more likely a bicycle thief will walk away.

Check different methods how to use your bike lock correctly, it'll be very useful for security of your bike.

Secure the Components on your E-bike from Bike Theft

Attach the individual parts of your electric bicycle to the bike itself

Start with the battery. Batteries for electric bikes are the most frequently stolen part of any electric bike. If you have a battery designed for easy removal, such as a battery in an aluminum or plastic casing that slides in and out, you need to find a good way to secure it firmly.

These types of e-bike batteries almost always come with a factory locking solution, but for proficient bike thieves, it's never enough. The kind that slides along an aluminum or steel plate often requires only the smallest of hand shears to cut a hole in the plate and release the pin. Sometimes you can even simply bend the plate with a screwdriver, freeing the battery.

To counter this, thread a lock through the battery handle, if it has one. This provides a bit more deterrence for casual bike thieves, but won’t stop any serious attempt to steal the electric bike battery. For more theft protection, consider adding a chain, plate, block, etc., that goes through the end of the battery, secures to the frame, and prevents the e-bike battery from being removed without your key.

Additionally, if you do not plan on removing the battery from the bike for charging, you might use a more permanent method, like bolting or welding a plate to the end of the battery. Keep in mind, however, that this may create an issue if you ever need to service the battery.

Cover your Electric Bike for better Protection

It's simple: make your e-bike less appealing. Many people might not want to go this far, especially if you like how your electric bike looks, but making your e-bike ugly can be a great way to protect it from thieves.

There are many different ways to disguise a perfectly working bike into what seems like a piece of junk. Some of my favorites include artificial rust, strips of duct tape, random splotches of spray paint, a grocery bag on the seat, mismatched grips, etc. Anything that prevents your e-bike from screaming, "I'm a brand-new, expensive toy!" will divert attention from bike thieves.

Making your electric bike look unattractive to potential thieves could significantly decrease the likelihood of it being stolen. This approach of disguising could be a fun and creative project that not only serves a protective purpose but also makes your e-bike uniquely yours. Remember, the goal is to make the bike blend in and look as unappealing as possible to those with nefarious intentions, without affecting its functionality.

Also you can use real Bike Cover that gonna make your bike invisible.

Get Lost your Ebike in the Crowd

Park it near something more attractive. By this, I mean choose a location with better bike theft options than yours.

It could be a sleek, brand new, apple-caramel-colored racing motorcycle.

It might be another bike with a flimsy cable lock next to your electric bike with two U-locks.

It could be a more expensive e-bike than yours.

Anything that makes a thief want to swap your bike for something else will work. Some people might object to such a fairly selfish approach, but the fact is you can't stop all electric bike thefts, you can only stop the theft of YOUR electric bike. There will always be thieves looking to steal bikes. The best you can do is just try to make sure it's not yours.

By surrounding your e-bike with more tempting targets, you could potentially divert the attention of a thief. It's about making the theft of your e-bike seem less appealing compared to the alternatives nearby. However, remember that this strategy doesn’t solve the larger problem of bike theft but merely redirects it. This method prioritizes the safety of your property possibly at the expense of someone else’s, which is an aspect to consider ethically.

GPS tracker for Ebike Protection

Implementing a fake GPS tracking sticker on your e-bike is an ingenious idea. Crafting a simple fake GPS tracking logo on your computer, printing it on glossy adhesive paper, and attaching it to a conspicuous part of the bike operates on a similar psychological principle as home security company logos or "Beware of Dog" signs that people place near their homes. Even the mere implication of active, relentless surveillance 24/7 is enough to deter many bike thieves and push them to look elsewhere.

Certainly, there may be some doubt in the thief's mind regarding the authenticity of the GPS tracking, but at least it's making them think twice. Again, all of this impacts their mental calculation of the risk they're taking. It's up to you to stack the odds against them.

Oh, and actually employing a real GPS tracking device is an option too. Real GPS tracking devices can provide actual security alongside the perceived security the fake sticker offers. They can be discreetly placed on the bike and can provide real-time tracking capabilities, which could be invaluable in recovering your e-bike in the event it is stolen. Moreover, it may serve as a valuable piece of evidence in reporting the theft to the police.

In conclusion, employing both real and perceived security measures, and being creative in how you implement them, can significantly increase the level of protection for your e-bike against potential thefts.

Focus on working distance and quality of signal when choosing GPS tracker.

Additional accessories which can protect you on your ebike

Enhancing your safety while riding an e-bike involves equipping yourself and your bike with accessories designed to protect you and improve your visibility to others. Here are additional accessories that can significantly contribute to your safety on the road:

1. High-Visibility Clothing

• Wearing high-visibility clothing, such as vests, jackets, or jerseys, makes you more noticeable to drivers, especially in low-light conditions or adverse weather.

2. Body Armor

• For more aggressive riding, such as mountain biking, consider wearing body armor that covers your back, elbows, and knees. These can offer protection from falls or collisions.

3. Gloves

• Full-fingered, padded gloves not only improve grip but also protect your hands in case of a fall and can reduce vibrations for a more comfortable ride.

4. Eye Protection

• Sunglasses or clear protective glasses can shield your eyes from the sun, wind, dust, and potentially harmful debris.

• A mirror attached to your helmet allows you to monitor traffic behind you without the need to turn your head, maintaining your focus on the road ahead.

6. Turn Signal Indicators

• Wearable or bike-mounted turn signal indicators can help communicate your intentions to other road users, making turns and lane changes safer.

8. Handlebar Extenders

• For riders who need more space on the handlebars for lights, phones, or mirrors, extenders provide additional real estate.

9. Waterproof Backpack or Panniers

• Keeping your belongings dry and securely attached to your bike helps maintain balance and focus, especially in adverse weather conditions.

10. First Aid Kit

• Carrying a basic first aid kit enables you to address minor injuries immediately, whether you're on a remote trail or urban road.

11. Reflective Tape

• Adding reflective tape to your helmet, bike frame, or rims can dramatically improve your visibility, especially during nighttime or in poor weather.

12. Bike Bell

• A loud bike bell is a simple yet effective tool for signaling your presence to pedestrians and other cyclists, particularly on shared paths.

13. Action Camera

• Mounting an action camera on your helmet or bike not only allows you to capture your rides but can also serve as a deterrent against aggressive road behavior and provide evidence in case of an incident.

15. Puncture-Proof Tires or Liners

• Reducing the risk of flats, especially in areas with poor road conditions, can prevent accidents and ensure you're not stranded.

When selecting safety accessories, consider the specific conditions in which you'll be riding, whether urban commutes, off-road adventures, or long-distance tours, and choose products that best suit your needs and enhance your overall safety and enjoyment on your e-bike.

Conclusion

Many of the aforementioned tips for protecting against electric bicycle theft are simple behavioral changes you can make to better secure your e-bike, while others represent hardware options that require some spending. How much your e-bike is worth to you is up to you.

When it comes down to it, you're really fighting against two different types of bicycle theft: opportunistic theft and deliberate, targeted theft. Opportunistic theft is when someone walks by and sees an easy chance to snatch your seat or battery. Deliberate targeted theft is when someone studies your e-bike and prepares for the job. The best way to prevent both types of electric bicycle theft is to combine several different options listed above. The harder it is for bicycle thieves, the more likely it is they will look elsewhere.

At Movin Mobility, we are always concerned about the safety of our bikes, sharing tips on how to prevent theft and selling proven accessories to protect your e-bikes.