"How to protect your e-bike after huge spike in thefts"

"The latest full year data revealed that there were 103% more e-bike thefts in 2023 compared to 2022 and a whopping 257% more than in 2021. Evolve e-Bikes submitted FOI requests to every police force in the UK for data on e-bike thefts, revealing it really is 'grim up north' for e-cyclists."

"TOP 10 AREAS FOR MOST E-BIKE THEFTS (2023 OVERALL)

1. West Yorkshire: 446 thefts

2. Avon & Somerset: 144 thefts

3. North Yorkshire: 124 thefts

4. Cambridgeshire: 105 thefts

5. Dorset: 94 thefts

6. Surrey: 86 thefts

7. Kent: 52 thefts

8. Warwickshire: 37 thefts

9. Norfolk: 36 thefts

10. Northamptonshire: 36 thefts

HIGHEST YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE IN E-BIKE THEFTS (2023 V 2022)

1. North Yorkshire: +176%

2. Northamptonshire: +44%

3. Cambridgeshire: +44%

4. Lancashire: +34%

5. Derbyshire: +22%"

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/how-protect-your-e-bike-28894912

This data doesn't mean much without data about how the bikes were stolen (what tools were used), and the quality of the locks people were using.

It's honestly baffling how many bike shops still sell combination locks which can be bypassed, or those metal zip-ties looking ones which can be cut with hand tools, they are just asking for trouble.

Even this website, while it does offer some generic advice, doesn't explain that Sold Secure isn't a simple gold star. The ratings describe what tests the locks can withstand, and only powered-cycle diamond is tested against angle grinders.

Agree that those statistics are open to all kinds of manipulation depending what you want to exacerbate, so wouldn't read too much into it.

Best thing to do is not leave your battery in the e-bike if parked up.

It's honestly baffling how many bike shops still sell combination locks which can be bypassed

If a thief had a big pair of cutters or a portable diamond disk cutter, why would they waste time trying to bypass a combination lock ?

"Police appeal after e-bike taken from outside Ashton-on-Ribble gym "

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2024/04/police-appeal-after-e-bike-taken-from-outside-ashton-on-ribble-gym/

What people fail to state ids the theft of a bike is not really a problem in itself, no more than a car is, that is what insurance is for, it is the INCONVENIENCE, of hen getting home or to wherever you want, perhaps no money.

As for the ZIP type ties, they are perfect for an additional deterrent, I use them on the battery. Note they are the combination ones.

ALL locks are just a deterrent NOT to stop theft, just to delay it long enough.

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-locks/hiplok-z-lok-combo-lock---black-304366.html?_gl=1*1c1m5dn*_up*MQ..*_ga*NjM4MTE1NDIzLjE3MTQyOTc5MzY.*_ga_EG1MQMYCLS*MTcxNDI5NzkzNi4xLjEuMTcxNDI5Nzk4Ni4wLjAuMA..*_ga_VK44BRER97*MTcxNDI5NzkzNy4xLjEuMTcxNDI5Nzk4Ny4wLjAuMA

Also add these

https://pinheadlocks.com/product/qr-wheel-lock/

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If some people think that bike theft or car theft doesn't much matter, i dread to think what kind of premiums they are being charged. Every kind of insurance you have will be affected by a history of claims if you have one. The premiums are boosted if you have made claims or suffered loss.

Theft IS a problem. A MASSIVE one. This society is FAR too soft on those who steal and destroy valuable property. Why else are retailers being hammered by very bold thieves who don't even hide their shoplifting and assault and abuse staff who try to stop them. The same is true of motorbike and bike theft.It is a horrible experience and the costs to the victim are never covered by the payout they receive. Not only will you almost never get the replacement value of the lost item, but you will be robbed blind when you renew ANY insurance policy you take out.

A recent u-tube i watched was sold as an interview with a bike thief..

With an angle grinder No lock is a deterrent, But numerous locks that take too much time to deal with were..

Looks like the owner locked it up through the quick release front wheel and left the battery on the e-bike too.

Crazy. Oh well, thieving scummarati will have the opportunity to steal this old bike I'm very slowly re-assembling, because it's too large to take into places like my 20" wheeled folder... will have to leave it locked up .

A recent u-tube i watched was sold as an interview with a bike thief..

 

With an angle grinder No lock is a deterrent, But numerous locks that take too much time to deal with were..

Will deffo "secure" using at least two D-locks!

Edited April 29, 20241 yr by guerney

If some people think that bike theft or car theft doesn't much matter, i dread to think what kind of premiums they are being charged. Every kind of insurance you have will be affected by a history of claims if you have one. The premiums are boosted if you have made claims or suffered loss.

 

Theft IS a problem. A MASSIVE one. This society is FAR too soft on those who steal and destroy valuable property. Why else are retailers being hammered by very bold thieves who don't even hide their shoplifting and assault and abuse staff who try to stop them. The same is true of motorbike and bike theft.It is a horrible experience and the costs to the victim are never covered by the payout they receive. Not only will you almost never get the replacement value of the lost item, but you will be robbed blind when you renew ANY insurance policy you take out.

I am thinking on a "life" scale you probably wouldn't consider

I have great health, at 66, better than ever, my autistic son and I want for nothing and need nothing, I have an NHS pension and my state pension so not rich, I have enough to pay all my bills, feed us and have a home.

My cycle insurance for both bikes is £65 a year including accident and public liability cover.

I clearly stated " theft of a bike is not really a problem in itself, no more than a car is, that is what insurance is for, it is the INCONVENIENCE of then getting home or back to wherever you want to go".

This can be mitigated by ensuring you do all you can to "avoid" the theft, but, there are worse things in life such as hunger, homelessness, cancer, than losing a bike hence as I said "I am thinking on a "life" scale you probably wouldn't consider".

A recent u-tube i watched was sold as an interview with a bike thief..

 

With an angle grinder No lock is a deterrent, But numerous locks that take too much time to deal with were..

100% which is why I said 1. Pinhead locks (wheels and saddle), 2. 2 different D locks, 3. Lock round the battery. 4. INSURANCE.

I laugh when people spend £1000-2000 or more on a bike and £30 on a lock, don't moan when it is stolen you only have yourself to blame.

You should never gamble what you can't afford to lose. I paid £75 for the Dahon Espresso pictured above. The locks cost more than the bike.

https://www.world-wheels.co.uk/09_espressolarge.htm

Unsure at this point if I want to convert it - this could change rather quickly, when I attempt to climb the hill I live on. To keep my risk low, I'm determined this bike not cost me much to restore. I've swapped out it's old racing bike style "Sun" shifters, for indexed Shimano Revoshifts, scavenged from the bike I found dumped in the woods a few months ago. I'm resisting the temptation to buy a new unused frame, because the old one looks very scratched up and less interesting to thieving scum.

now that's something to pi$$ about in but might be a bit expensive on the insurance with duel mini guns and warheads for wheel caps oh well

 

now that's something to pi$$ about in but might be a bit expensive on the insurance with duel mini guns and warheads for wheel caps oh well

I'd prefer this to a Lambo Countach:

As for the ZIP type ties, they are perfect for an additional deterrent, I use them on the battery. Note they are the combination ones.

 

ALL locks are just a deterrent NOT to stop theft, just to delay it long enough.

 

 

Your ziptie won't delay the theft of your valuable battery for long. Gone in less than 60 seconds!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcFqqqkcxv8:55

Nice looking battery you have there, where do you lock up your bike? Worth the train fare

Edited April 30, 20241 yr by guerney

...I laugh when people spend £1000-2000 or more on a bike and £30 on a lock, don't moan when it is stolen you only have yourself to blame.

I think that is what is known colloquially as "victim blaming".

I'm not denying the sad state off affairs that requires one to very thoroughly secure ones property these days, but please don't blame the victim for the behaviours of the (very small) scumbag minority.

I think that is what is known colloquially as "victim blaming".

I'm not denying the sad state off affairs that requires one to very thoroughly secure ones property these days, but please don't blame the victim for the behaviours of the (very small) scumbag minority.

"Autistic and proud UK BASED (WALES)" in Saracen signature.

"The court heard that he had been cycling home from Croydon on his new electric bike, when he was attacked by Kallon and another man, who fled the country shortly afterwards."

https://news.met.police.uk/news/self-confessed-career-criminal-convicted-of-murder-following-met-investigation-484828

"Autistic and proud UK BASED (WALES)" in Saracen signature.

And you quote this why ?

If the dude was daft enough to lock it using quick release front wheel and leave the battery on then......

I always have a back pack on bike and take my battery with me, an alarm hidden under the seat that is awkward to get to might also have been enough to deter villain as they are bloody loud

If the dude was daft enough to lock it using quick release front wheel and leave the battery on then......

 

I always have a back pack on bike and take my battery with me, an alarm hidden under the seat that is awkward to get to might also have been enough to deter villain as they are bloody loud

I frequently hesitate before pulling the battery off my bike and going into the supermarket as i glance around and see another ebike often with its battery still in place.. But then i think that any thief will go for the bike with a battery first and pull mine off and lug it with me..

I frequently hesitate before pulling the battery off my bike and going into the supermarket as i glance around and see another ebike often with its battery still in place.. But then i think that any thief will go for the bike with a battery first and pull mine off and lug it with me..

It's 4.5kg I could do without carrying too but not so bad in a back pack, needs must when there are so many thieving b@stards out there....even a locked Hailong can be kicked off in seconds unless you go to town with straps and locks around it