How does everyone prevent theft? Bike lock? Alarm? Airtag?

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FCer

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I have decided to buy an ebike to replace my slow legs. I really like the roll road 2-persons seat emma 3.0, but like all bikes, it does not have an anti-theft function.
I saw a lot of rampant thieves in the short video. They used power tools to cut locks
 
I generally don't leave the bike alone when I ride. Once, I left it alone while I went into a 7/11, and only when there was no one hanging out in the parking lot. At home it is in the garage locked by chain to a tandem.
 
I use all three, a folding lock and an alarm and an AirTag. I also passcode the controller and key lock the battery.
None of those will really do any good. The best they can hopefully do is make your bike more work than the one parked next to it.
The most important thing you didn’t mention - insurance.
 
FCer said:
Every point you mentioned excites me. How do you add a password to the controller? Many ebike brand, including emma 3.0, claim that they have a power-on password, is it?
Click to expand...
Definitely set a power on password. Unfortunately that is not going to slow the two guys throwing the bike in the back of a truck and it is not going to stop them from stripping the bike and parting it out.
Remember also that AirTag announces its presence to the bad guys. What you really want is a GPS tracker but that comes with a monthly subscription.
 
Another suggestion is to take off the front wheel quick release skewer and replace it with a non QR skewer that uses anti-theft security bolts.
The same with the seat post clamp.
Do not keep the security key in the toolkit on the bike.
 
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Just as with burglary, it is said that the best deterrent for theft is to make it LOOK as though it will be more of a risk for little reward. 1. I don't have expensive ebike brands prone to theft 2. Location: well lit and public when parked 3. Visual deterrent: GPS tracker sign and high vis locks 4. Loud alarm: I have one motion sensor alarm that doubles as a horn, and another motion sensor alarm that goes on the disk brake and has a bright orange cable that goes on the brake lever. 5. If I had to leave it somewhere for longer I also bring a kryptonite lock.

I use the disk lock also for my motorcycle, and I use the very same strategy. I am banking on the surprise factor of the loud noise that can make thieves change their plan of action in a split second. It's a stressful event and there is no time to think it through, which hopefully triggers a flight reaction. If nothing deters them and they are really determined, there is really not much you can do. Having an utility ebike that won't cost you an arm and a leg to replace it helps sleeping a bit better, though.
 
I ride for exercise and never leave my bike anywhere......if I did......I would definitely take the battery out and chain it to something.......I would also hang a sign on the bike saying....."Hope you have some money....the battery for this bike costs $500!!"
 
JerryB said:
I ride for exercise and never leave my bike anywhere......if I did......I would definitely take the battery out and chain it to something.......I would also hang a sign on the bike saying....."Hope you have some money....the battery for this bike costs $500!!"
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That wouldn't stop crack heads one bit - the’d sell the ebike for $20 if they have to. Hanging that sign will just invite some to take it.
 
Atavar said:
Definitely set a power on password. Unfortunately that is not going to slow the two guys throwing the bike in the back of a truck and it is not going to stop them from stripping the bike and parting it out.
Remember also that AirTag announces its presence to the bad guys. What you really want is a GPS tracker but that comes with a monthly subscription.
Click to expand...
How does an AirTag announce it's presence?
 
If you have an iPhone and start traveling with an unknown AirTag the iPhone will alert the user.
IMG_1441.png


Android devices have a built-in feature called "unknown tracker alerts" that can notify users if an AirTag or other tracker is nearby and separated from its owner. The feature is available on most Android devices, including Pixel and Samsung phones.
 
To make it worse once the thieves notice the AirTag they can make it beep so they can find it and disable or destroy it.
Thank your legislators and privacy advocates for this feature.
Figure the life of an AirTag is an hour after it is stolen at most.
 
Yep, except for finding your own stuff in your own house.
The alternative is a GPS tracker. The problem with those is battery life is weeks to a month. The cheapest device and subscription I’ve found is here.
 
Forget all this tracker stuff and keep people from stealing the bike in the first place. You can now buy a U lock that is angle grinder resistant to the tune of 30+ minutes on a plugin grinder (a battery powered one has less power and you need multiple batteries plus the several grinding wheels that will be worn down and need to be replaced).

Also, use layers in your locking scheme. I do a Litelok X3, which is maybe the best angle-grinder-resistant lock, plus a boron steel chain plus a second, monstrous stainless steel u lock.

You don't have to go as far as I do, but don't write off locks because you're concerned about angle grinders.

https://talesontwowheels.com/2023/12/17/litelok-x3-review-from-a-bike-owners-perspective/
 
m@Robertson said:
Forget all this tracker stuff and keep people from stealing the bike in the first place. You can now buy a U lock that is angle grinder resistant to the tune of 30+ minutes on a plugin grinder (a battery powered one has less power and you need multiple batteries plus the several grinding wheels that will be worn down and need to be replaced).

Also, use layers in your locking scheme. I do a Litelok X3, which is maybe the best angle-grinder-resistant lock, plus a boron steel chain plus a second, monstrous stainless steel u lock.

You don't have to go as far as I do, but don't write off locks because you're concerned about angle grinders.

https://talesontwowheels.com/2023/12/17/litelok-x3-review-from-a-bike-owners-perspective/
Click to expand...
lol, and how much does all that weigh.
 
I use a Kryptonite U lock, motion sensitive alarm, and an AirTag. Mainly I rarely leave the bike out of my sight for more than a few minutes. It would take more than a few minutes to cut through the lock with the alarm blaring away so I don't think anyone is going to get my bike without a fight.
 
I rarely leave my bike out of sight for more than few minutes in NYC.
For ebikes that are heavy enough that thieves can't walk/ride away quickly, I just use a short cable lock on the seat rails, take the seatpost off and lock the seatpost (with seat) around the rear wheel & frame.
Bike without a seat & seatpost is hard to ride away for long.
 
How prevalent is ebike theft anyway? Is it a major problem everywhere or just in crime ridden inner cities? Are we being too paranoid with our locks, alarms, AirTags, GPS,etc? I guess it can happen anywhere but probably not as common in most areas of the country.
 
The best way to prevent e-bike theft is to use a combination of several methods, as no single solution is foolproof. Here are some effective strategies:

Invest in a high-quality lock, such as a heavy-duty U-lock or chain lock. Always lock your e-bike through the frame to a sturdy, immovable object. Avoid locking only the wheels, as they can be easily removed.

Install a bike alarm that emits a loud noise if someone tries to tamper with your e-bike. This can deter thieves and attract attention.

AirTags are passive tracking devices. They don’t have the capability to actively prevent or deter theft. They can only help locate an item after it has been stolen.

When possible, park your e-bike in well-lit, busy areas with high foot traffic. Avoid leaving it in isolated or poorly lit locations.

If available, use secure bike parking facilities or bike lockers. Some cities offer secure bike parking areas that require a fee or membership.

Engrave your bike with a unique identifier or register it with a bike registry. This can help authorities identify and return your bike if it's recovered.

Using a combination of these methods will significantly reduce the risk of e-bike theft and increase the chances of recovery if your bike is stolen.
 

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