How to keep your eMTB safe from theft
Getting a bike stolen is one of the biggest fears of any cyclist. Very little compares to the dread of coming back to an empty bike rack with a broken lock attached to it. So what can you do to stop it from happening to you? There are plenty of ways to both discourage thieves from trying to steal your bike and to make taking your bike much harder.
How common is e-bike theft?
Before we get into it, you may be wondering just how worried you should be. How prevalent is e-bike theft?
Because e-bikes are relatively new to the market, it is hard to pin down how often they get stolen. However, there are some numbers that will give us a clue. A study in the Netherlands found that e-bikes are three times more likely to be stolen than regular bikes. According to FBI data from 2019, an average of 175,200 bikes (the data doesn’t distinguish e-bikes) are stolen each year in the US, which amounts to about one bike every three minutes.
All of that is to say, bike theft is rampant in larger cities and as they become more popular, e-bikes are also becoming a bigger target. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can protect your bike.
Mechanical lock vs anti-theft eMTB system
Mechanical locks and anti-theft systems are both useful tools to have when looking to protect your electric mountain bike from theft. They are best used in conjunction, so that you have as many lines of defence as possible against bike theft.
Both tools will serve different purposes when protecting your bike. Mechanical locks secure your bike by the frame and wheels to a bike rack or anything else you might lock your bike to. These locks can range from cable locks, which are lightweight and relatively easy to cut through, all the way to heavy duty folding locks designed specifically for e-bikes. The disadvantage to mechanical locks is that many can be gotten through by force and most will not sound any alarm or alert you that your bike has been stolen.
Anti-theft systems, such as the Avinox anti-theft system used on the Amflow PL Carbon and PL Carbon Pro, are built directly into your eMTB. These systems can both lock the electrical functions of the bike and alert you when your bike is moved without your permission.
How the Avinox eMTB anti-theft system works
The Avinox anti-theft system uses either a password or your phone to unlock your bike after it has been parked. This feature means that only you will have access to the bike’s electrical systems when the bike is locked.
If your bike does get stolen or moved without your permission, the anti-theft system will send an alert to the Bluetooth device your bike is connected to and sound an alarm on the bike’s control panel. You will be able to see its location on the map and lock it out remotely.
Extra tips to avoid theft
Beyond using good loks and having an anti-theft system, there are a few other things that you can do to prevent your bike from getting stolen.
Keep your bike indoors whenever possible.
Where you store your electric bike plays a big role in how likely it is to be stolen. Keeping your bike as close to you as possible is a good practice and will help your peace of mind. Many cyclists will do anything to keep their bikes safe and it isn’t uncommon to see bikes used as décor in living rooms, leaning against walls wherever space is available or even squished into cupboards. If that isn’t an option, make sure that where you’re storing your bike is secure. If your bike is kept in a parking garage or a shed, it’s a good idea to lock up your bike, just in case. This may even be stipulated in your insurance cover.
Lock your bike where its visible
When you’re out and about, keeping your bike with you isn’t always possible. If that’s the case, lock your bike up somewhere it can easily be seen. Though it may not prevent thieves from attempting to steal your bike, generally they will be less likely risk breaking a lock or two if your bike is locked up in an area with lots of people around. Being able to keep your eyes on it will also help you to relax.
Lock all easily removable parts
As we mentioned earlier, when using a mechanical lock on your e-bike, you will likely want more than one to keep your whole bike secure. Ideally, you’ll want to be able to lock the frame and both wheels to prevent thieves from taking a wheel and making your way home a lot harder. When buying a lock, take into consideration how thick the frame of your eMTB is. If it is particularly large, you’ll want a separate lock for the frame and for each wheel. Depending on the area you’ll be leaving your bike in, two extra cables may be suitable for the wheels, or you might want two more locks to be safe.
If your bike has a quick release seat clamp, it could be worth considering switching it a bolt-on. Though this might be seen as an extreme measure, it will depend on the area your bike will be parked in. Generally, though, you’ll be better off safe than sorry.
Secure Your E-Bike and Enjoy the Ride!
Don’t let fear of e-bike theft keep you from riding your bike! If you invest in a bike with a great anti-theft system like Avinox, or at the very least make sure you have enough locks whenever you’re leaving the bike anywhere in public, your e-bike will be as safe as possible. To ensure you're fully prepared for all aspects of e-biking, check out our comprehensive EMTB guide for tips on security, maintenance, and optimizing your ride.
Amflow PL
The Amflow PL electric mountain bike offers 850 watts of power in an ultra-light sub-20kg build. With an unrivaled combination of power, range, and weight, it delivers the ultimate ride.
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