So my dilemma: I bought my eBike to help me get around the city, because I don’t have a car and our transit has been going downhill since the pandemic.
HOWEVER, I keep hearing how awful bike thefts are here, and the only way to keep my bike safe is to never let it out of my sight. Which severely limits the types of errand I can use it for.
So — how do you keep your bike safe? Insurance? Alarm? System of expensive locks? Never leave it unattended? Have you ever had your bike stolen? Anything you wish you’d done differently?
I just latch it with a bike lock. Loop it between the wheel spokes, the frame, and something sturdy nearby. Figure if they want it bad enough to take it half apart in the process, clearly nothing I can do is gonna stop 'em. I’ve seen some people loop it through both wheels and the frame.
Yeah, now that the bike isn’t brand new anymore, I do feel a bit that maybe I’m being overprotective, to my own detriment.
Here’s a few tips that I either use myself, or see lots of people recommending:
- For quick lockups, I use a U-lock (or D-lock, whatever you want to call it) around the seat tube and whatever I’m locking to. My e-bike is a fat-tire model, so I can’t really get the rear tire in there too, but bonus points if you can get the rear wheel, seat tube, and what you’re locking to inside of it.
- For longer lockups or stops in higher risk areas, adding in a chain lock or cable lock and doing something similar to what @PugJesus suggested can be a good idea. Essentially, the idea is to get both wheels and the frame interconnected and attached to something secure.
- General rule of thumb suggested to me once: invest in a lock that’s about 10% of the cost of your bike (making sure it’s a good quality lock, of course). I personally use an Abus Granit X-Plus 540, which has served me very well so far.
Edit to add: Also might not be a bad idea to register your bike on something like Project529. Doesn’t really prevent someone from taking the bike, but might help make it easier to get it back.
Great tips, thank you! I’ve got a U-lock/D-lock and a freaking heavy chain (Kryptonite New York Noose), so I really should probably stop stressing!
I am registered with the police and Project529, but you’re right that those are worth mentioning!
Pretty much my logic, but I also have a vibration sensing alarm. In my extremely safe neighborhood (where most people don’t lock their bikes up) I’ll sometimes dip into a quick stop with the u-lock through the rear wheel to the frame, keeping it from rolling, and the alarm set.
Once in a pinch I wrapped my chain around a huge concrete pillar - it barely fit - and the u-lock between the chain and my frame.
I’ve heard of a guy that used a quick release on the front wheel, locked the bike up and took the front wheel with him in stores. Sort if a weird dude but never had his bike stolen
I’ve definitely considered taking the battery and/or seat with me, but carrying around the wheel is one I hadn’t considered!
Same. The pandemic prompted me to buy an ebike.
For me, it depends on the circumstances. Most of the time, I’m commuting between home and work, and I have secure indoor locations I can park it at either end.
When running errands, I try to find a spot with lots of foot traffic around it to make a bike thief conspicuous. Ideally, if it’s a restaurant, I try to find a place to sit where the bike is within sight. It’s annoying when they put the bike rack back behind the store someplace.
My lock is sort of medium strength I guess? I don’t know if anything would stop a determined thief? If I’m extra concerned, I remove the battery and take it in with me.
I never leave the bike parked outside overnight.
Yeah, I’ve got a mid-range Abus U/D lock, and a Kryptonite New York Noose chain. Probably should stop worrying so much about it, but it’s hard to accept maybe losing that much money!
It’s mainly errands that I’m concerned about — same as you, I’ve got secure indoor storage at home and work. But I find myself reluctant to take it on errands versus Uber or transit, because of that risk of losing it.
Clearly I need to get over it! Haha.
One thing. The police where I live put out a PSA where they recommended registering your bike with 529 Garage. You can do it through an app. Also, it’s good to be registered with the manufacturer where ebikes are concerned. For example, they may be the only supplier of the battery you use (if, for example, it is a custom design for the particular model) and if you report your bike stolen, they can keep an eye out for anyone trying to order a replacement battery with your serial number.
