How to lock an electric bike?

The topic of today’s article is bike safety—something crucial for any e-bike delivery rider, as so many bikes get stolen on the NYC streets.

It isn't recommended to leave your bike unlocked because thieves would take advantage of it. Everybody is different, and the urban environment isn’t ideal for something like that, but there are other ways to protect your bike.

It must be considered at the same level as comfortable riding, e-bike insurance, etc. Tracking your bike after somebody snatches it can be challenging because even the GPS isn't entirely reliable, so let’s check the locks for theft protection.

U-locks are a necessity

According to The New York Times, electric bicycle thefts increased 98% between 2019 and 2020 and continue to rise. It’s essential to know how to keep your e-bike safe.

Generally, the more expensive your bike is, the more careful you need to be. U-lock is considered the most secure.

You can wrap it around the frame of the wheel or use both techniques, and your bicycle will be vulnerable to theft.

U-locks are very recognized, and cyclists use them a lot today. Therefore, at Whizz, we add u-locks to the subscription.

They’re made of solid steel, super easy to use, and give a higher level of security.

It’s a good option, particularly if you want your e-bike safe. The nice thing is also that it comes with two keys.

These days, it’s the most popular way to stick your e-bike. Unfortunately, more than two million bicycles are stolen every year in America. You can easily put it in your bag or attach it to the frame, that sort of thing.

How do you lock your electric bike?

Just open the U-lock, attach it to the bike, and lock it.

It’s a good thing to know, and it works even for the smallest U-lock. It will be much lighter to use because some models are massive. No wonder bicycle thefts are pretty common.

Lock through the main triangle of the frame

Avoid using cheap cable locks. Forget about them, as they make e-bikes an attractive target for thieves.

A bigger lock isn’t necessarily better. You get the point.

We do not recommend locking the e-bike details separately, as someone can pick them apart and steal your e-bike nonetheless.

Use additional safety methods

After your e-bike is locked, it’s relatively safe, but it's good to use additional methods for a greater level of protection, which will definitely improve security. You should pay attention to the most vulnerable parts, like the front wheel, rear wheel, and seat.

It's sad when somebody attempts to steal part of your back. It’s not that common, but it’s important to prevent it, so you can use hex locks to protect the handlebar, stem, and headlight.

These details aren’t cheap and are essential if you commute or deliver. How to secure an electric bike is a broad question that depends on how much stuff you have on it.

When e-bikers take the phone mount with them, it's one of the most common things stolen, so make sure to lock it separately. It takes a little bit longer to lock your bike, but it will increase security.

You can also use security devices like GPS – Whizz’s Storm-2 e-bike comes with an integrated GPS, so that’s one thing less to worry about. Also, some people use alarm systems, but not very commonly.

Look for locks that are resistant to angle grinders

Cable locks can be easily cut because when it comes to theft, it only takes a few seconds to snatch your bike.

Angle grinders aren’t common in general, but they’re still a threat. Angle grinder-proof bike locks are relatively new, but they can be beneficial in many ways.

There have been a lot of clips on YouTube about locks vs. angle grinders. It’s better to stay safe than sorry.

Park an e-bike in a public place

We would love to guarantee 100% security for our bike, but it’s extremely heavy. Therefore, we advise you to park your e-bike with plenty of people around.

t’s also very effective. The safest places for parking are pretty important, so do some research.

We also do not recommend leaving your bike for a long time, wherever it is. No matter how expensive an e-bike is, thieves shouldn’t have a chance to get it.

Lock to something sturdy and legal

Аttach your bike to firmly attached objects to the ground or wall. Then, the safety of your e-bike will certainly be more guaranteed.

Many areas have designated spots where you can leave your e-bike locked at. They are some of the best parking spots for delivery riders. Sadly, they are not always available.

Make sure you are allowed to lock your bike in that specific location. You don’t want to get a fine!

Conclusion

Overall there are a lot of different scenarios, such as how thieves can steal the whole bike or some parts of it, so when you purchase an e-bike, you need to think about security. You can potentially improve it.

This is where Whizz comes to help.

Our Storm-2 e-bike comes with an integrated anti-theft system. This includes wheel blocking, integrated alarm, remote power cutoff, and GPS tracking.

You can also get our All-in Plan, which not only gives you all the necessary items for a delivery rider but also comes with a Protection Plan that serves as insurance in case of damages or theft.

With Whizz, theft is one less thing to think about!

Read also

• A Beginner's Guide to E-Bike Delivery
• Can I Ride My Electric Bike in the Rain?
• How Does an Electric Bike Throttle Work?