Haha, no chance. That happens all the time with far heavier motorcycles and the police can't do much about it.

 

depends on region I suppose - they certainly caught 'em here in East Anglia (where until recently cycles were even readily left unlocked!)

 

It of course took a fair few months for detectives to go through CCTV but it turned out to be a gang stealing bikes to "order" across the region (particularly from more "trusting" areas) and reselling them to students mostly in Cambridge. The warning to be more careful locking up bikes was given to all local media by an Area Commander (superintendent rank) rather than a mere bobby!

Edited February 28, 200917 yr by Alex728

It of course took a fair few months for detectives to go through CCTV but it turned out to be a gang stealing bikes to "order" across the region (particularly from more "trusting" areas) and reselling them to students mostly in Cambridge.

 

Do they still have the annual cycle selling days in Cambridge? When I was a student the police used to sell off bikes they had confiscated and weren't claimed. You could get really good deals.

 

Both our Wisper and Powacycle that we have, have locks for the battery, so I leave them on, except when I am away for a long (more than 4 hours) time, or want to charge them (at work).

I must admit, I have never given it a 2nd thought, I would have thought that if someone was keen enough to bypass the battery lock, they might as well just steal the whole bike.

 

Ian

I must admit, I have never given it a 2nd thought, I would have thought that if someone was keen enough to bypass the battery lock, they might as well just steal the whole bike.

 

Ian

 

Usually the battery lock is pretty easy to pick compared to a proper cycle lock but it is still worth giving it some thought - see my previous post. In the end I think it is all down to location, length of stay etc. As Flecc points out it is fine to leave the battery when going to shops but I think you would be mad to leave it parked in a London street every day (especially at the same location) with the battery still on the bike.

When out the bike is rarely left unattended for long (30 minutes max). If I were to leave it all day then I think I would take the battery with me, as the bike without the power from the battery is hard work to ride (has regeneration system in the motor) and they wouldn't get far if they had to ride it.

 

I usually loop the cable lock through the carry handle of the battery, so it acts as a second lock. However there’s nothing to stop someone with a screwdriver undoing the screws holding the handle to the battery and freeing it from the cable lock. If they can then work the battery lock then they could have it away. But the time needed to beat two locks greatly increases the chances of being seen or me coming back and catching them - bad news for them on both counts.

.

Charging required

 

I never leave my battery (batteries) on my bike but this is mainly because I need to rechage all at the end of my journey. Working in Hackney I have resisted the temptation to stop at the many shops in Hackney on my route to work. I sometimes pop out again with one battery, but even then carry it with me in the shops or offices I visit, taking care to lock my bike to an immovable object and with additional cables through both wheels and the saddle.

 

Conal

One of the main advantages (disadvantages?) is that batteries aren't interchangable between different makes bikes, if there was a universal battery then the temptation for theives to move into taking electric bikes would be high & growing all the time.

 

The battery is locked into place on my Urban Mover UM36 (just spent £300 on having lots of bits replaced after 2 years & 4000+ miles; brake levers, gear lever, all cables, throttle, pedal sensor, cranks, pedals, bottom bracket, headset, tyres, innertubes) so haven't really worried about it getting nicked as I live in a pretty rural area - but doesn't mean bike theft doesn't exist - and don't often leave it locked up in a public place where there aren't people around. But saying that people don't give a toss when they see a bike being nicked -

But saying that people don't give a toss when they see a bike being nicked -

If I saw a bloke like that holding an easy weapon then there's a good chance I'd decide I didn't give a toss about someone elses bike. Though if I saw someone trying with a hacksaw I'd tell the police as there's a 50/50 chance they will get there in time. In reality thieves don't get all dressed up in safety gear and power their angle grinder from a street sign, nor do they use hacksaws or carry bolt croppers around for all to see. Much larger bolt croppers can by hidden in a coat and the other tool is an easilly hidden bottle jack, both work very quickly against many locks.

Security Bolts

 

Not convenient when bikes like some Wispers come without tilting saddles to release the battery from the frame.

.

 

I changed the QR saddle bolt on my wisper for a 'Pinhead Components' bolt. it comes with a special lever/handle a little bigger than a key so it can't be undone with spanner and is still almost as convienient as a QR.

 

Plus, on a wisper, it has the added advantage of being able to secure the battery in place. (not for me though, cos I'm too tall).

 

Regards,

 

Seeker

That sounds good Seeker, I hadn't heard of those.

.

Wow!

 

That sounds good Seeker, I hadn't heard of those.

.

 

You mean I've managed to contribute something to the forum that you didn't already know!?!

 

How often does that happen;)

 

Of course I mean that in a respectful awe kind-of-way to your well earned guru status:D

 

regards

 

seeker

Quite often in fact!

 

I have a folder of many files from which I copy and paste various links and items, and quite a few contain the name of the source member so I can credit them when I use the content.

.

Hi

 

If I am in the countryfields I leave it open if I am outside bargain booze at the end of the council estate i lock it up and keep the door open in the shop to keep my eye on the vandals. One of them actually throw flour and eggs at me when i was unlocking. I like the lock on aggatu for quick get away.

 

Thx

 

Bob

Above and Beyond!

 

Hi

 

If I am in the countryfields I leave it open if I am outside bargain booze at the end of the council estate i lock it up and keep the door open in the shop to keep my eye on the vandals. One of them actually throw flour and eggs at me when i was unlocking. I like the lock on aggatu for quick get away.

 

Thx

 

Bob

 

Gosh Bob!!

Surely there's a safer way to get a drink?

I have been thinking about this for a while.

 

I asked my supplier, and the replacement value of a battery is £200..so it is definitely worth a form of security.

 

I think the current security that I rely on, is that of the mysterious image of pedelecs. I think a lot of people don't really know what that large block of battery is, let alone if it is valuable.

 

However, being bitten many times, I have come up with a solution to lock the battery.

 

Hope it works!

Edited August 17, 200916 yr by Supermack

I have been thinking about this for a while.

 

I asked my supplier, and the replacement value of a battery is £200..so it is definitely worth a form of security.

 

I think the current security that I rely on, is that of the mysterious image of pedelecs. I think a lot of people don't really know what that large block of battery is, let alone if it is valuable.

 

 

unfortunately one of the unintended consequences of the mainstream media publicity ebikes are getting is that this is unlikely to remain the case for long.

 

There is already a report of a poster in SW England whose new Wisper was vandalised (in such a fashion that would maybe imply the attackers knew it was an e-bike) - another post from Frank of Powabyke reporting the theft of a brand new demonstration model from outside their business premises.

 

I keep my bikes inside locked buildings at all times if I cannot watch them at all times. Luckily my friends and my employer are equally cynical and mistrusting of strangers (especially with a deepening recession and lots of desparate people around) and don't have an overoptimistic view of East Anglia (which still remains a fairly good place to live in nevertheless compared to London or SE England).

 

its worth sharing the solution for the benefit of all, it may also help the good people find potential flaws before the bad people do...

its worth sharing the solution for the benefit of all, it may also help the good people find potential flaws before the bad people do...

 

I havent implemented my solution yet..still waiting for the parts.

 

Once I have installed it and got it working, I will post it here.

My solution for locking the battery whilst leaving it with the bike.

 

You need two items:

 

1. A strong bag, my preference is the Ortlieb Back Roller Plus:

 

http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/images/images_big/backrollpl.jpg

 

2. A locking cage to secure the bag, my preference is the Pacsafe 55L backpack protector:

 

http://www.pac-safe.com/media/product/product_image/medium/1960_11_1567_11_1147_anti-theft.jpg

 

Of course if you are going to the gym - take your battery with you (put it in the locker). But maybe there is the occasion where this solution fits.

 

Hope this is helpful! :o

I've seen quite a few e-bikes locked up now, and most of the time the battery is left on the bike.

 

For me, in London, that seems crazy! Leaving an item worth several hundred pounds unattended attached to a bike. However other people may have different ideas...

 

So do you leave your battery on the bike when you lock it in the street?

 

I don't own an e-bike yet, but will do very shortly, and this for me is a big concern I must say. As you say, the idea of leaving the most valuable component on the bike (which is potentially removable) unattended in a public place, seems crazy.

 

I'm sure batteries weighing 3-4kg must be a real nuisance to lug about if you want to go shopping or something, and this is why I was considering going for a bike with the lighter and smaller batteries under 2kg. But then you're limited on power and range.

 

Even if someone can't remove the battery from the bike if it's locked, there's always the risk it will attract more attention and shout out "e-bike" to any thief passing by who fancies trying to nick it. It could end up being vandalised and wires cut etc, if they can't steal it, and if you're a long way from home that could be a real problem.

 

I guess that's where insurance comes in, and parking your bike in the safest and most secure place possible.

 

Perhaps someone should come up with a motion sensor alarm system that alerts the owner via his wrist watch that someone is messing with the bike? I bet the Chinese will produce something like that before long

Edited November 9, 201015 yr by morphix

there is a increasing case for a secure indoor bike park of the same (or better) standard to be created in Britain (don't they have these in some foreign countries?)

 

I think you're right, because clearly e-bikes with their higher value than regular bikes and vulnerability need to be stored indoors. Perhaps if the market grows large and they become mainstream that could happen.

 

If you parked your e-bike in a proper indoor car park it's probably even more at risk of a thief making off with it in the back of a van, than if you parked it in a public bike rack under CCTV. Wouldn't you say?

as for leaving in the Locker......A friend of ours had locker broken into at local pool and lost everything...wallet/cash/cards/keys and his BMW.....Yep, car has never been seen again:rolleyes:

I think you're right, because clearly e-bikes with their higher value than regular bikes and vulnerability need to be stored indoors. Perhaps if the market grows large and they become mainstream that could happen.

 

If you parked your e-bike in a proper indoor car park it's probably even more at risk of a thief making off with it in the back of a van, than if you parked it in a public bike rack under CCTV. Wouldn't you say?

 

depends on the layout of the building. a shared car/bike park would need to have a controlled area where you could get bikes in and out but it would be impossible to get a van through in normal operational use. the same methods used to enforce height and width restrictions in a car park can be adapted..

 

OTOH friends of mine who have been to Europe have mentioned some areas of the Netherlands have large bike parks with CCTV and security measures which also contain repair shops - its of course in the interests of the commercial business running the repair shop to keep the place as secure as possible..

Also depends to some extent on the bike. Not saying Wispers are immune from having their batteries knicked, but once they're locked in place it would take bit of bashing and levering to break the built-in lock etc. to get the battery out.

 

Personally, I supplement the built-in lock by running a heavy chain through the battery handle, which I then feed through one of my two 'major' locks as well. (The chain also goes through my saddle, to help prevent my very desirable adjustable seatpost from going walkabouts, too).

 

Allen (Wisper 905se, 2010)

Having the battery off will change little

 

Would I buy a second hand battery for my bike, one with a broken lock or from an unknown person? My much changed Pro connect if stolen would be very difficult to sell. There are stupid thieves around and of course there are some who just enjoy mindless vandalism. Having my battery still on the bike in my mind will change little the change of theft or mindless damage.

Would I buy a second hand battery for my bike, one with a broken lock or from an unknown person? My much changed Pro connect if stolen would be very difficult to sell. There are stupid thieves around and of course there are some who just enjoy mindless vandalism. Having my battery still on the bike in my mind will change little the change of theft or mindless damage.

 

Ther was an obviously stolen Kalkhoff on London Gumtree recently, with no charger, it sold eventually. I think without the battery as well the scum bags chances of selling would have been more difficult. But its a bit of a hassle so not many will bother removing.....