With the surge in popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes), unfortunately, there has been a corresponding increase in e-bike thefts in the North East, they are readily available, easy to sell and often very expensive. 

 To help protect your valuable investment, there are several simple things you can do to protect your e-bike properly, so you don’t experience the heartache of having your bike stolen.

1. Never use only one lock

The only time to use a single lock is when you’re locking for just a minute or two while you pop into a shop or to grab a coffee. Any time you leave you bike for more than a few minutes, use two locks. It can take thieves as little as a few seconds to cut through some locks that haven’t achieved the Police Preferred Specification, so use two good quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock (sometimes referred to as a U-lock). Lock the frame and both wheels to the cycle parking stand. Secure your bike as close to stands as possible to give thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.

2. Register It 

Register your bike on a secure, Secured by Design (SBD) recognised national database. The police check these databases if they find bikes in the possession of a criminal, or in the street, to identify the rightful owner. 

3. Take your battery with you

If your bike is without the battery, any potential thief will be less interested in it and if your bike is properly secured, it prevents them from stealing just the battery. They are easy to remove and expensive to replace.  

4. Secure parking

Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV. Secured cycle hubs and racks are provided by local councils and business, however, while some of these products are security tested some are not, so be wary. Avoid leaving your bike in isolated or dimly lit places, always leave your bike where a potential thief will have to perform in public 

5.  Don’t establish a routine

There are two types of bike thefts: Thefts of opportunity and targeted attacks. The former is where a thief stumbles upon an easy lift and decides to steal in the moment. The latter is where a thief watches a target over several days or weeks, then plans the attack method and time for maximum result. Don’t establish a routine that can make it easy for an attacker to profile you and your bike.

6. Install a tracker on your e-bike

The only problem with GPS trackers is that they are expensive, and many require monthly subscriptions or a SIM card with their own monthly fee. But now with Air Tags by Apple and Samsung, it’s cheap and easy to put a tracker on your e-bike. If you have already have one, take the time to find a good place for it. Many e-bikes have wide enough frame tubes that you could likely slip one in there. Some e-bikes already have them built in but failing that, there are holders available disguised as rear reflectors, water bottle holders and even within bells! Kits are also available to hold them within front forks or within tyres using a foam ‘mouse’ which is installed to protect tubeless rims.

7. Consider e-bike insurance

There are plenty of bike insurance companies that specialize in e-bikes. You can also have your bike covered under your homeowners’ or rental’ insurance, but you need to specify the bike and its value, or you may end up only receiving a fraction of its value.

Some locks even offer insurance for stolen bikes if you register your lock with the company immediately after purchasing.

#northeastcrimereduction

Further advice regarding bike security can be found at www.scotland.police.uk

This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7.  If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101.  In an emergency, call 999.

Police Scotland's North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.  The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function.  Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.  These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues.  They are assisted by the division's Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.