Keeping your Electric Bike Safe and Secure
Nipping into the bakery? No worries, no one would steal a bike in the centre of a city. Would they?
Published: Friday 22 September 2023
Keeping your Electric Bike Safe and Secure
In the current economic climate, residents of the UK have adapted and learnt to prosper in times of financial uncertainty. However, this has also led to a rise of thefts, especially in electric bikes.
Popular with city commuters, weekend trekkers, delivery riders and many more, e-bikes are a common sight in almost every town in the UK. Making life just that little bit easier for the rider, they have cemented themselves as a necessity for business and leisure riders alike. Unfortunately, with a higher price tag, motor assisted bikes are becoming increasingly more attractive to those less inclined to work hard to precure an e-bike.
Nipping into the bakery? No worries, no-one would steal a bike in the centre of a city. Would they?
Well...yes, it's a daily occurance for hundreds of cyclists. E-bike theft claims in the UK rose by 37% between 2020 and 2021, with London residents having suffered with more than 21,000 bikes stolen in 2021. According to Transport for London, 28% of electric bike riders purchased their bike as a replacement for a car, leaving an increased number of electric bikes out there as potential income for bikes thieves.
So What Can I Do To Protect My E-Bike?
First of all, all electric bike batteries lock into the bike so as long as the bike is secure, the battery is however, it is a great idea to get your new battery powered workhorse some decent insurance cover. There is a smorgasbord of reputable companies out there, ready to protect yourself and your valuables. We recommend Seopa, an insurance broker who's main aim is to get you the best cover. Compare quotes and insure your e-bike here! More information on our partnership with Seopa can be found here.
Locks, alarms, trackers and more. A heavy duty lock is a great deterrent to opportunist thieves, and so are wheel locks or security skewers. The Abus Bordo 5700 is a neat, compact and easily transportable security measure, while the BikeFinder Bicycle Tracker will assist if your bike does get stolen. Created by bike enthusiasts, for bike enthusiasts, this lightweight tracker has an 8 week battery life to assist you in the recovery of your electric bike. More of our range of security measures can be found here.
Consider where you leave your bike unattended. A bike left in a secluded alley way is going to be far more at risk than one locked to a bicycle stand in a town centre. It takes a minute to secure your bike with a chain or D-lock, this is a small price to pay considering everyday electric bikes can cost between £600 and £5,000. We would much rather spend the time strapping our bike to a railing with a chunky cable or chain, than have to walk the rest of the way to work - hundred of pounds out of pocket!
For an insight into real-world bike theft experiences, check this recent article from The Guardian - Life in Bike Theft Britain.