What do we know about e-bike theft?

As e-bikes are growing in popularity, they are also becoming a target of theft. Bike theft has always been a problem, especially in urban areas, and things are not looking good for e-bikes as well.

With the rising demand for electric bikes, combined with their high resale value and a lack of security, the number of thefts and vandalism is rising.

This is especially concerning for delivery riders, who earn money with the help of these eco-friendly vehicles.

Whizz has dived deep into the problem, so we can give you some e-bike theft statistics and offer you important preventative measures and solutions.

E-bike theft statistics

Bicycle theft is a severe problem in the US, and electric bikes are among the bike models that are the most likely to get stolen.

The exact number of stolen e-bikes is hard to get by.

According to the study done by Project 529, about 80% of bike theft victims didn’t report their crime to the police.

This makes it very challenging to get to the true numbers.

According to the FBI, more than 175,000 bikes are stolen each year. That's one bike stolen every 3 seconds!

However, this only includes reported thefts, so the numbers are likely much higher. In fact, Project 529 suggests that the numbers are greater than a million.

They also state that the main locations where bike and e-bike thefts occur are in public places, such as parking lots and sidewalks. Around 60% of thefts happen there!

The other 40% happen in private spaces, such as garages and backyards.

Major cities with lots of delivery riders on e-bikes are especially susceptible to criminal activities.

Considering how towns such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have tens of thousands of e-bikes on the streets, this shouldn’t be a huge surprise.

Why are e-bikes targeted?

There are several reasons e-bikes would be attractive to thieves.

First, the high resale value of their parts on the black market ensures a quick profit. Unlike traditional bikes, which may fetch only a few hundred dollars, e-bikes sell for thousands – especially when broken down into their motors and batteries.

These components are often sold individually, making it difficult to trace them back to the stolen bike.

Secondly, most of these e-bikes do not have proper security systems installed.

Though the high-end models of some of them have GPS tracking and alarm systems fitted, most of the delivery riders use affordable models without proper protection.

As a result, those bikes are easy to steal and hard to recover once stolen.

Another problem with busy metropolises is a total lack of secure parking, meaning riders are forced to leave their bikes in public, where they can easily get stolen.

Common scenarios of theft for delivery riders

Unfortunately, delivery riders are a common target of theft.

The most common scenario involves a rider leaving his bike unattended to drop off a delivery.

Even if that stop only takes a few minutes, opportunistic thieves will run off with an unsecured or poorly locked bike. In busy cities, this can happen in less than a few seconds.

Another common scenario is theft from bicycle racks or storage places in restaurants and cafes. Many riders leave their bikes outside while they wait for their order, and thieves take advantage of this layover time.

Sometimes, e-bikes are stolen from residential areas—such as apartment premises and garages—where they rest when not used.

Thieves easily cut through locks or tamper with security systems, leaving these bikers without their main mode of transportation.

E-bike theft prevention

While e-bike theft is a growing concern, there are several things delivery riders can do to reduce the risk.

Keep in mind that none of these measures guarantee your bike will be safe. However, if you do all you can to increase the effort thieves need to make to steal your bike, they are more likely to try to find an easier target and leave your e-bike alone.

Prevention measures delivery riders can take

• Use a lock

The best prevention against the theft of an e-bike is effective locking.

Sturdy U-locks, heavy chains, and folding locks resist cutting and tampering more effectively than cable locks. The rider must ensure that the e-bike is locked to an immovable object, such as a bike rack or post.

A thief may be further deterred by double-locking to further help make the bike more difficult to steal quickly.

To avoid theft of parts or the whole e-bike, secure the bike both on the frame and wheels. To the delivery riders, this will only take a couple of seconds, but locking the bike properly can reduce the chance of theft when making small stops for delivery.

• Park safely

The correct selection of a parking location is also critical to the prevention of e-bike thefts.

All riders should avoid leaving their bikes in seclusion or even in a dark area. In fact, they should look out for high-traffic areas with lots of people around them since thieves only operate when they won’t be noticed.

When possible, secured parking facilities should be utilized.

Besides this, some cities have specific zones where delivery riders can park. These areas are usually monitored or made safer for riders.

• Use e-bikes with GPS systems and tracking devices

Technology can play a very important role in recovering stolen e-bikes. Most of the latest e-bikes, such as Storm-2, have GPS trackers that enable the riders to monitor where their bikes are in real-time.

Even if the bike is stolen, these trackers enable the rider and law enforcement agencies to recover the bike as quickly as possible.

For bikes that do not come with built-in GPS, trackers can be bought and discreetly installed on the bike.

And let’s not forget about other useful inventions, such as an integrated alarm, remote power cutoff, and wheel blocking. All of these combined make sure your electric bike is located as quickly as possible.

• E-bike insurance

With all the money tied up in an e-bike, insurance for a delivery rider is a must-have.

Luckily, many firms have begun to provide bike-specific policies that cover theft, damage, and liability when an accident occurs.

For example, Whizz offers a Protection Plan that will reduce your liabilities in case of theft.

Riders should consider options that offer financial security against theft. Insurance will not prevent theft, but it will provide much-needed support in recovery.

Related: Which e-bike to avoid and why

Final words

According to Bike Index, only about 2% of stolen bikes and e-bikes are found. As the numbers are so low, it would be the smartest to look for electric bikes that are as safe as possible, with integrated protection systems that make them unappealing to thieves.

Whizz Rental Service is one of the manufacturers that understands how important electric bikes are to delivery riders. This is why we design e-bikes with the best protection possible.

When you buy our bike, you are getting a vehicle with a durable U-lock, an integrated GPS, and other means of protection.

And if the e-bike theft does happen, with our Protection Plan, you’ll only be liable for a small portion of the costs.

When it comes to the e-bike, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t be a part of the statistics – rent with Whizz.