What do you do to prevent theft of your e-bikes/battery?

[Coffee]

Just think would you leave the cash value of your bike poorly protected
try and buy the highest rated lock you can afford
two separate locks are better than an all in one
one d lock and one chain with a separate padlock will take longer to cut through

Thanks Peter, thats sharp thinking,
I will keep this in mind when shopping.

Dave.

 

[georgehenry]

This Haibike has been left regularly by a commuter at a station in Surrey I use for over a year without mishap, although I would not do it myself!

 

[Mehmet Comek]

I am planning to buy my first e-bike for commutes soon and this is one of my biggest worries. Theft is always an issue and spare parts aren't really cheap. I am planning to use multiple locks to protect the battery and the e-bike itself but I think I will also buy an e-bike GPS tracking system.
If not removed or detected, at least it gives you the chance to get your bike back or even stop a theft attempt given there are a lot of alerts and notifications.

 

[KirstinS]

Good locks and always take battery with you would be my advice


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[Mehmet Comek]

Thanks for the advice, I guess that will be the smart thing to do.
I am just very forgetful sometimes and I am worried that I will forget to take the battery with from time to time. Having children and a busy work is really distracting.

 

[Nefarious]

I am planning to buy my first e-bike for commutes soon and this is one of my biggest worries. Theft is always an issue and spare parts aren't really cheap. I am planning to use multiple locks to protect the battery and the e-bike itself but I think I will also buy an e-bike GPS tracking system.
If not removed or detected, at least it gives you the chance to get your bike back or even stop a theft attempt given there are a lot of alerts and notifications.

Have you found a tracker that you like??

 

[KirstinS]

Thanks for the advice, I guess that will be the smart thing to do.
I am just very forgetful sometimes and I am worried that I will forget to take the battery with from time to time. Having children and a busy work is really distracting.

I hear that - I have four ages 8 and under!

A guy lost he bike near me with 7 locks on. Expensive haibike too. I couldn't believe it , 7 locks !!

Except they were all from poundland.....

Honesty one or two proper good locks are you done.


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[danielrlee]

A guy lost he bike near me with 7 locks on. Expensive haibike too. I couldn't believe it , 7 locks !!

Christ! Imagine trying to unlock the bike, having to go through a process of elimination with seven keys every time.

 

[Mehmet Comek]

Have you found a tracker that you like??

I have actually, I know a reliable company that my friends and family use for their cars and they just added an e-bike tracking package for a really good price. https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/electric-e-bike-scooter-gps-tracking
This is the package I am talking about and it pretty much covers everything so I won't have to deal with the details.

A guy lost he bike near me with 7 locks on. Expensive haibike too. I couldn't believe it , 7 locks !!

That is hilarious I totally see myself doing it too. Hopefully, I will be more responsible once I buy my bike because they cost a lot of money!

 

[budsy]

CCTV is the best thing since sliced bread , one that doesnt stand out like a sore thumb and if your bike is locked in a shed then CCTV hidden cam shall catch who ever the scum is who tries to break into the shed ... Outer fencing and gate is always locked at night time with a secure heavy padlock anyhow even if they get inside by climbing over a 6 ft fence / gate to get inside and yes they could use a bolt cutter on Gates lock and the bikes lock ...but Cctv would catch whoever it was Thats your best line of defence is a camera pointing straight towards the area where your shed doors are Battery would always be kept in house though ..

 

[budsy]

View attachment 26497
This Haibike has been left regularly by a commuter at a station in Surrey I use for over a year without mishap, although I would not do it myself!

Should take the battery off the bike to carry with him/her as this bike in pic stands out like a sore thumb to any thief ..

 

[FrodoBaggins]

So this is a cool question:
I cant currently drive so my ebike is my primary way of getting around. I need to leave it outside shops and train stations etc.
So the £3K bikes are a no no for me.
My ebike is built on a Yose Power rear kit. The kit cost me £365 new (including battery). The bike is an old hybrid (worth about £50)
Add the cost of some small items like brake pads and a new tyre/ gear cable etc it is probably about £520 all in.
It will easily do 40 miles on a mid level assistance setting on a LOT of hills!

Theft proof was my no 1 requirement. So this is my setup:

1. 2 x really good locks, 1 chain, 1 D - lock (this is an additional cost)
2. Always take the battery with me
3. I have setup the LCD to be able to easily removed, if going to be away for a prolonged period of time.
4. I am sometimes conscious of constant unplugging my LCD, so the fall back is an old pair of manky oily underpants that I wrap around the display to cover it for short stops.
5. Make the bike look as least like an ebike as possible. I use rubber black tape on the wiring that makes it look quite non ebike ish
6. Park it under CCTV or where it is harder to thief
7. Park it next to bikes that clearly are worth a lot more!

And the final one, which I believe is the secret.

8. Make it look like a bag of **!!!!

I actively do not clean the frame (only the motor), so it is quite muddy. I have deliberately scratched the frame and pealed off the branded names.
I have also stuck some parcel tape and a few "my little pony" girls stickers around the frame. (if someone does nick it then they have the humiliation of riding it looking like a 6 year old girl!)

Conscious this is not for everyone, but anyone who needs it as a must it might help!

I will try and get some pictures or make a little video

 

[georgehenry]

I think Dutch people do the same. If they get a new bike, the first thing they do is make it look very second hand. I have an old Emate City from 2011 that looks very sad but actually works a treat and looking sad combined with a good D lock has proved to be a good theft deterrent so far. If I am catching a train this is the bike I leave at the station.




Locked up next to a nice shiny bike which would you nick?

 

[sjpt]

I think Dutch people do the same. If they get a new bike, the first thing they do is make it look very second hand.

I agree with the principle. And of course, that's what the canals are for.

 

[FrodoBaggins]

I agree with the principle. And of course, that's what the canals are for.

My mates dad has a "drinking bike" its not an ebike but the bike he goes to the pub on. Quite often it is fished out of the canal or found abandoned somewhere.

He cant get it stolen for trying!

 

[Sanjuro]

I think Dutch people do the same. If they get a new bike, the first thing they do is make it look very second hand. I have an old Emate City from 2011 that looks very sad but actually works a treat and looking sad combined with a good D lock has proved to be a good theft deterrent so far. If I am catching a train this is the bike I leave at the station.


View attachment 41505

Locked up next to a nice shiny bike which would you nick?

Making it look second hand is not a deterrent neither is the dlock really they still nick parts off it. Happened to me twice with a crap 30 quid mountain bike and a 200 quid one, where they stole the forks and the handlebars and the disc brakes.

 

[Scorpio]

A decent chain locked onto something immovable, normally through the frame & back wheel. Swap the quick release seatpost clamp for a bolt up clamp. I know the front wheel can be removed in seconds and is vulnerable. Battery is never removed, bike gets charged in the garage and kept either there chained or moved into the house when charged.
I left it chained up outside overnight twice last year, once in the enclosed courtyard of a hotel I was stopping at, once chained to the back bumper of my mates campervan in a secured campsite. Neither are ideal but I was touring away away from home ...