Electric Bike Thefts in Toronto

Between 2019 and 2024, Toronto police recorded an alarming 1,869 electric bike thefts, highlighting an issue in the city. This comprehensive analysis examines various aspects of these thefts, providing insights into patterns and trends that may help e-bike owners in preventing future incidents..

Seasonal Trends in E-Bike Thefts

The data reveals a clear seasonal pattern in e-bike thefts across Toronto. 

Analysis of the monthly data shows a significant spike in thefts during the warmer months, with June and August recording the highest number of incidents (231 each). This trend likely correlates with increased e-bike usage during summer. Conversely, the winter months of December and February see the lowest theft rates, with 78 incidents each.

Time of Day Analysis

Understanding when thefts occur can help e-bike owners take preventive measures.

The data indicates that e-bike thefts are most prevalent during daytime hours, particularly between 14:00 and 18:00, with 466 incidents. The early morning hours (00:00-07:00) and late night (22:00-24:00) show the lowest theft rates, suggesting that many thefts occur in public spaces during busy periods.

Day of Week Analysis

Examining theft patterns across the week provides further insights into this criminal activity.

Interestingly, weekdays see higher theft rates than weekends, with Wednesday having the highest number of incidents (300). This pattern might be related to commuting habits, as many e-bike owners likely use their vehicles for work transportation.

Annual Trends

The year-over-year data paints a concerning picture of the growing e-bike theft problem in Toronto.

There has been a dramatic increase in e-bike thefts from 2019 to 2023, with the number of incidents nearly quadrupling. This trend underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. The partial data for 2024 suggests that this upward trend may be continuing. 

Geographical Distribution

Understanding where thefts occur most frequently can help target prevention efforts.

Divisions D51 and D52 report the highest number of thefts, with 436 and 401 incidents respectively. This information can help police allocate resources more effectively and alert residents in high-risk areas to take extra precautions.

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Theft Locations

A table analyzing the locations where e-bikes are most often stolen provides valuable information for prevention strategies.

Streets	585
Apartment / Rooming House	341
Parking Lots	261
Other Commercial / Corporate Places	180
Single Home	154
Bar / Restaurant	72
Private Property Structure	46
Pharmacy	37
Open Areas (Lakes, Parks)	36
Convenience Stores	21
Universities / Colleges	17
Subway Station	14
Hospital / Institutions / Medical Facilities	14
Other	14
Other Non-Commercial	13
Bank And Other Financial Institutions	12
Go Station	11
Schools During Supervised Activity	10
Commercial Dwelling Unit (Hotel)	9
Homeless Shelter / Mission	5
Dealership	5
Unknown	5
Construction Site (Warehouse	2
Police / Courts / Parole Board	2
Nursing Home	2
Religious Facilities	1

Streets are the most common location for e-bike thefts, accounting for 585 incidents. Apartment buildings and rooming houses follow with 341 thefts, while parking lots rank third with 261 incidents. This data suggests that public and semi-public spaces are the most vulnerable areas for e-bike theft.

In conclusion, the rising trend of e-bike thefts in Toronto is a significant concern that requires immediate attention. By understanding the patterns revealed in this data, law enforcement can better target their efforts, and e-bike owners can take more informed precautions to protect their property. And also they can use u bicycle lock, for sleep better!

Verdict

The study highlights the critical patterns and hotspots of electric bike thefts in Toronto from 2019 to 2024. The data underscores the need for increased security measures, particularly during peak theft periods and in high-risk locations. Raising awareness and implementing preventive strategies can help reduce the incidence of these thefts.

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