Electric bikes are objects of desire. Even more than a classic bike without electric assistance. Because of the more expensive resale price, the high value battery or the attractive electric motor, they are a prime target for two-wheel thieves.
So how to buy a reliable anti-theft model? Where to attach your electric bike? To protect your mount effectively, discover Weebot's best advice on locks with our practical guide to combating theft.
Essential accessory to protect your electric bike
The explosion in sales of electric bicycles is unfortunately accompanied by a new parallel and flourishing market: that of the resale of stolen bicycles.
Unlike the scooter and the motorcycle, the electric bike is light. In addition, it does not have a handlebar locking system and starts without a sound. The electrically assisted bicycle is therefore particularly easy to steal.
When purchasing an electric bike, you must therefore protect it from theft with an anti-theft device . But not all of them are equally effective. Let's take stock of how to prevent the theft of your motor vehicle.
What you need to know about bike theft
First of all, here are the facts about bicycle theft in France:
- 9 out of 10 stolen bikes were improperly secured at the time of theft (due to a poor quality e-bike lock, or a poor location where the bike was attached)
- a quarter of stolen bikes weren't even tied down at all
- One in 2 thefts takes place in the common areas of buildings (courtyards or building halls). A place where we often forget to attach our electric bike, thinking it will be safe from theft.
Electric bike theft, the main obstacle to purchasing
It is now estimated that, apart from the shortage of electric bicycles worldwide, theft is helping to slow down the expansion of the population using this ecological and economical means of travel.
The other obstacle is the lack of safety on the road. But the latter tends to be erased due to the creation of increasingly secure cycle paths such as the RER Vélo in Île-de-France.
However, theft is not inevitable. The decisive weapon is to systematically secure your bike by the frame with an appropriate electric bike lock.
Bicycle engraving compulsory since 2021
To fight against theft but especially concealment of electric bicycles, the French government has implemented compulsory marking of new electric bicycles when they are purchased. With a unique code, it is possible to find the owner's address in the event of theft.
You can already have your bike engraved if yours is not equipped with one. A tamper-proof and inexpensive label will act as a deterrent for thieves.
If you want to know more, Weebot recommends our blog article on this subject.
How to choose an electric bike lock?
Not all types of anti-theft devices are created equal. There are mainly two criteria to take into account when choosing your security device. The strength of a bike lock is the first criterion to know. Secondly, we advise you to read the different opinions of users and professionals in the sector. Because the most expensive is not necessarily synonymous with the best level of security.
For maximum protection of your electric bike, U locks from the Abus brand are of the highest manufacturing quality. They are all indicated to protect your two wheels most effectively.
The different types of electric bike locks
There is no electric bike lock that is significantly better than the others. Each protection device offers advantages but also disadvantages. You just need to find the lock that best suits your use of the electric bike.
Choosing a model of electric bike lock that is reliable, durable and suited to your use is not necessarily easy. Between the numerous brands on the market and the different types of protection, electric bike users are sometimes lost.
They are generally full of technical jargon which sometimes puts off the purchase of an electric bike lock. To avoid the headache, you are in the right place and Weebot explains everything you need to have before buying an electric bike lock.
Chain locks
There are no chain locks specially designed for electric bikes, but bicycle chains with padlocks are more or less resistant depending on the references. Generally made of case-hardened steel, this type of electric bike lock with padlock effectively and durably resists common brutal attacks such as sawing or bolt cutters.
If you choose this anti-theft device, be aware that chains with round links are easier to handle than chains with square links.
Disadvantage of chain lock
- Heavier than other systems
- No need to have a chain longer than 120 cm
- The least obvious lock to carry
U-locks
U-locks for electric bikes provide a high level of resistance to sawing, bolt cutting, picking, drilling, etc. This is certainly the best way to secure an electric bike.
Not being foldable, it is however sometimes more complicated to transport. To do this, you need to invest in an attachment system inside the frame to be able to easily transport a U-lock.
Disadvantage of chain lock
- Does not bend
- Must be accompanied by a fastening system for transport
Folding bike locks
A folding lock is generally a good compromise for securing your electric bike. It is convenient to use and also very easy to carry. It doesn't take up too much space attached to a support at frame level, or you can carry it in a bag or briefcase.
However, they offer a lower level of protection than the U.
Disadvantages of the folding lock
- Less reassuring than an anti -link or U u
- May scratch the e-bike frame with its straight edges
Cable locks
We can only recommend against this solution! A cable lock offers very little protection. It can very easily be cut by basic cutting pliers.
Also forget about serflex-style cable locks. There are many tutorials on Youtube that demonstrate how easy it is to open the lock system in just a few seconds.
Weebot's 5 tips before buying a better anti-theft device
To find out how to effectively protect your electric bike, here are our essential tips. But the first reflex to have is to tie up your bike in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!
Even for a few seconds, it is far too dangerous to leave your electric bike without a lock. Some thieves look out for electric bikes left parked in front of shops, for example. It only takes them a few seconds to steal your bike.
1 - Choose the device that suits you
Although the U-lock is often cited as the most effective protection, it is not always recommended depending on the attachment point of your bike. For example, if you usually attach your electric bike to a large pylon, the U may not be wide enough to encircle it.
2 - Remove the battery if removable
An electric bike without a battery is immediately less attractive to a thief. This is why we urge you to keep a removable bicycle battery with you as much as possible. Although a little heavy to carry sometimes, this will attract less covetousness.
3 - Choose an SRA-approved Lock
Since 2018, and as part of anti-theft contracts, certain insurance companies have asked their electric bike users to equip themselves with a better SRA approved anti-theft device. But what is the SRA standard?
An SRA anti-theft device is a security device which has received approval from the SRA association after passing a battery of rather restrictive resistance tests.
The SRA approval assures the user that this lock effectively resists brutal attacks such as bolt cutters, sledgehammers, sawing, picking or even drilling. This is a way of ensuring that the security level of the device is of very high quality.
4 - Choose the place where you attach your electric bike
If possible and to ensure optimal protection, secure the frame and the front wheel of your bicycle to a fixed point (pole, tree, lamp post, etc.). But pay particular attention to this fixed point. One of the latest theft techniques is to trap certain bicycle attachment points in such a way that they can be easily unscrewed or removed.
If the chosen attachment point is not fixed, your electric bike is certainly the target of imminent theft. To maximize the protection of your two wheels, place your lock high up. A lock close to the ground is easier to handle for a single thief. You can also place the lock towards the ground to make picking more complex.
5 - Add a GPS tracker
The last tip does not necessarily prevent the theft of a two-wheeler but above all allows you to prevent the theft of your bike. There are more and more GPS tracker solutions to hide on an electric bike. Whether inside a rear light to add to the bike, in a saddle, or better yet, as part of the bike, you could be notified live if your electric bike were to be moved.
It seems to be the solution against theft that offers the best peace of mind when you leave your electric bike unattended.
