How To Keep Your Bike Safe From Theft | Best Electric Bike Security 

What has worked best for you when securing your bike?

*Great **Latest.Bike** . I upgraded the pedals, added fenders and installed a handle bar extension to raise them. Now it’s a pumped out E-Bike. I love it.*

I'm surprised that e-bike companies haven't just imbedded internal locking systems into the bikes they make.

Back in the day I rode my bike to work every day, had a basket with 6 different locks, this was required because each lock required a different tool/method to unlock/break. I never lost my bike, but neighboring "easier" bikes were stolen daily. Later in life in the suburbs, the transit put up some rental secure bike lockers. Can't wait for an embedded GPS / tag system.

ALWAYS take a note of the serial number of the bike to prove it is your bike if lost or stolen and found again

"don't leave it in areas that you don't feel safe" Ok, I live in Paraguay I never gonna ride my bike again

I have found, after 73 years of life, that if one keeps their machines functioning well, but looking like shit, thieves usually stay away....no chrome....flat black...and rust are your friends....this applies to cars motorcycles, bicycles, houses, and boats......and I suppose, girlfriends too.....

There's a special place in hell for bike thieves! With my eBike, I always carry two locks, u-lock and my ABUS foldable lock. I assume thieves see two locks and move on to another bike with less security.

I use a ulock and a bike movement alarm. It's gone off about 10 times.all I ever see is guys running from my bike. Haha. This is for sure the best system.

I dont lock my bike up any where unless i can see it and i have 3 locks i have a lock on the disc brake and kryptonite chain lock and kryptonite u lock and i will only lock it if i can see it. Three locks will slow them down enough that i can get out there and start stabbing.👍🏻😀

7:48 the trick is not only to have GPS tracking, but also an RF transmitter which you can easily and reliably pinpoint that absolutely proves that your bike is in the property. With that evidence easily accessible from outside gives the cops enough to actually get a warrant and retrieve your bike.

Excellent video. I worked in a bike shop in Connecticut. One guy there lived in NYC for years. There was only one way everyday riders and messengers there secured their bike: Two locks. The first one usually a Kryptonite New York Standard, and the second some form of chain or tough cable lock. Though the folding locks you show would work too. And yes, lock it in plain sight. But two locks, especially with the NY Standard (which requires two full cuts with an angle grinder to get through, usually going through more than one battery, and more than one blade) the "foundation" lock. Then they have to deal with the second lock. This system is a time-consuming, pain in the ass for even skilled thieves to get past to steal your bike. They'll almost, almost always just move onto the next bike down the street. One other thing, if you buy a Kryptonite NY lock, don't forget to register the lock. Must do.

I got one of those tail light alarms for 30 bucks and it took a week and half to prove itself to be worth more than its weight in gold. Also got a shrouded heavy chain lock with an alarm. Lock it in a high visibility area and you might even be lucky and the alarm will draw the attention of a fellow cyclist who's still emotional about their bike getting stolen.

Thank you! I really want an ebike but hesitate for the fear of it being stolen. Knowing now how to lock it and especially that it's possible to get insurance for it is reassuring.

Found this video because I'm looking to buy a commuter. While watching I had a security idea. There's a pet GPS collar called Whistle. It's really designed for dogs, but I use it on my cat and it's brilliant! If you remove the collar part of this product and hide the GPS part, maybe under the seat, you will have a very reliable GPS tracker for your bike. You do need a subscription for it though. It's $8.25USD a month for a yearly plan or $8USD a month for a two year plan. Or you can just go month to month, but that costs $12.99USD. Just throwing an idea out there. As a side benefit, if you're into this type of thing, it would also be tracking your routes, distance traveled each day, and calories burned.

Just ordered a couple electric bikes with a couple grand in add-ons… this video taught me more than I already knew and was very helpful. thank you!!

My car died at the beginning of the month, and I have been heavily considering getting an ebike. I work from home, do school from home, get anything I buy delivered to my home via Amazon, Walmart, or Safeway, and any other good/service (pharmacy, post office, other grocery stores, veterinarian, etc) are all within a 15 minute walk for me. The only time I need to travel further than a mile is when I need to get get my daughter, but even then, according to the GPS it's only a 50 minute bike ride to her mom's house, which is only 20 minutes more than what it takes in car. Thanks for all the tips on ebike security. I'm a complete novice at all this stuff, and this is great information. Also, very good information telling us about bike insurance. I never knew that was a thing.

This is excellent information! It's always shocking how many bike thefts I see in our neighborhood chat page. Keep that serial number noted and lock your bike up!

Haven't heard the Smart Guy theme song in a while. 😂 Great video! I wasn't considering a folding bike lock but now that you've pointed out the difference in design/geometry for e-bikes, I'll be purchasing one for my new electric bike.

You could do what one dad did for his daughter. Just hide a AirTag in a really concealed section of the bike. Even though she took the battery off when she went into her school a thief still took her bike. With the AirTag, the father had it tracked down within minutes. When he showed up at the property and took the bike back. The thief was in awe how he had been found so quickly.

My Kryponite New York Long Shackle u-lock, turned at a 30-degree angle to my e-bike, goes around the seat post and thru the rear wheel. I secure the front wheel with a heavy cable.

In my fifth year of ebiking, and after 40 years of playing a violin, I just hit "acoustic bike" for the first time. A gasp of delight and thank you.

Excellent and informative, as usual. Thx for sharing.

Keeping a bike from thieves is a layered approach. One U-lock, then a disc lock with an alarm. The buy another movement alarm that goes under the seat. Three locks takes an extra minute to lock & unlock. If you have a big money bike get a Samsung gps tile. Good luck.

There’s also a chain ring that plugs into the cafe lock you can buy, for another step of security, that can be keyed alike to the battery, and another folding lock. Also, take the battery inside with you to prevent it being stolen as well.

thank you. I didn't even think about protecting the individual parts like the LCD display or even the wheels.

The town I live in (UK) has a nasty habit of putting cycle racks in dreadful, out-of-sight locations. Mind you, as a Brompton owner, I usually just carry it in with me wherever I go; I do have one of the Abus folding locks that I'll use if just nipping into a café and coming back out.

An Abus round lock on the chain / belt drive can stop the bike being ridden away, plus one on the front and rear spokes means doing a lot of damage to make it rideable again, cutting the spokes or cutting the locks ,not something most thieves want to spend time on using a cordless angle grinder in public. Three locks with the same key are relatively easy to carry, .....as well as the New York U lock in the video.

I have a radmission and I carry an abus folding lock on the frame and in my backpack I have an abus u lock with a cable and the bigass abus chain lock shown at the beginning of the video. It's lots of weight to haul around but it's also as close to peace of mind as I'll ever get while leaving my bike even for a short time. I just wanna have the toughest bike to get anywhere it happens to be, if there's something much easier right there then I'm hoping they'll go for that instead. It's like being chased by a bear, you don't have to be faster than the bear, you just have to be faster than the guy beside you!🤣

Great information! Thank You 😊

Great bike theft prevention ideas. I've found that its always better to lock your bike in plain view (hopefully a high traffic location), rather than hiding it out of sight hoping nobody will discover it. Unless that place is a lockable storage room or closet. BTW, may I suggest numbering the ideas from most to least important next time. And don't forget, as with any video, presentation is everything. So the more cycling types the better. Police tend to ignore bike theft, because they see them solely as toys for kids. True cyclist know that some bikes cost more than many cars on the road.

The method that's worked for me for over 40 years is either bringing the bicycle inside with me or putting something on the bike to slow'm down (wheel locked to helmet, etc.) and sit within 15 feet of the eyesighted bicycle. Of course a couple of times simply knocking them out helped also. The idea is to move fast when and if.

Nice information dude! Thanks.👍

Thank you. Super informative.

So basically before you even get into the video you basically explained beforehand that every thief will and can eventually break into your bike. Goodjob. Continues to make video...

Keep your bike with you as much as you can.

Great info! Dog thieves are the #1 worst people on earth. Just ordered $2000 fat tire ebike, very happy to watch your video! Thanks!

I know a super loud alarm might be worthless in a big city area, but maybe worth mentioning- I set mine at night because it would definitely wake me up. Might be enough to discourage a thief outside a grocery store in a small town like mine.

I use the Kryptonite chain & New York Fuhgeddaboudit U-lock. But I also have a brake disc lock which has an alarm (for motorcycles) + a motion sensor alarm mounted to the frame.

So helpful, thanks

For daily riding where you work/shop your best defense is a beater bike. Ugly color with stickers. Two u-locks. When you go to Europe everyone has a beater bike for urban use - keep the upscale bikes for special use.

great video! thank you!

A stolen bicycle will typically only be sold for 1/4 of it’s value because it’s usually a quick sale, it’s used and origin is sketchy. An electric bike without a battery even less because of it’s increased weight w/o an easy replacement at hand. It’s also 1/3 the cost of the bike

I feel a bit more secure with the motion sensor horn alarm that I installed. Plus I put an Apple AirTag on the bike as well.

Great vid. Excellent info. Big deal. for real. Thnx.

Thank You Fly Rides. You are shipping me my Gazelle in May and I am quite nervous about the explosive increase in petty crime in my home town lately. Currently, my plan is: NY U-lock with Kryptonite cable looped through front wheel. AXA Cafe lock. I'm undecided on purchasing the additional AXA chain that pairs up with the Cafe lock.

Also a good idea to note the serial number stamped onto your bicycle frame. So if it’s found or you see it in the street you can identify it.

I use a U-lock that is at least 18mm thick like the Kryptonite fahgettaboudit, this lock cannot be removed with a bolt cutter, but the other most important thing is an alarm that can text you when the bike is disturbed so that you can get to it before anything happens, time is the most critical factor!

Good stuff! Just got me my first E-Bike which needs some theft protection. I'm also thinking about filling the screws up with solder. Solder can be removed by heating when needed though it's bothersome..

Great video! I will be stopping by when Im in LA.

Good tips! One good reason to lock your bike in a public area as opposed to hiding it is that there are more potential witnesses in a public area, which can serve either as a deterrent or as more people who can potentially stop or report a theft in progress.

With all due respect this is why i love my folding escooter -it folds up and i throw it in the shopping cart (not exactly convenient -but 100% peace of mind is priceless

I like the idea of a hidden GPS so you can track your bike. Also, try to place the lock in a way that thieves can't get a good angle to shoot it open with one of those 22 caliber nail guns.

My friend has a pitbull trained to just grab and hold anyone who tries to touch the bike except her. Not the cheapest bike lock she's ever owned but it damn well works every time.....plus when you hear the thief screaming for help it works just as good as an alarm.😂

I use a lobster lock for the frame, front tire, and anchor. I have a kryptonite cable I wrap through the back tire, and then through the seat and connected to the lobster lock. I also have a bike alarm and I lock up closest to the front doors/windows as possible. My bike also lives in my bedroom when not in use.

Best disclaimer, hahaha. Great video btw thanks

When I used to ride a bicycle, it was insured by Smith and Wesson. Now my pickup truck is. Good video and good advice.

I have gone with an Abus folding alarm lock, a U lock, a cable lock and an additional, cheap, motion alarm. All except the U lock attach to the frame for carrying. I expect most thieves will be put off by amount to cut and alarms going off at the same time. Still vulnerable so considering data dot protection.

I use what I call the 2Chainz method, it's self explanatory. The seat is a quick release but it's permanently locked with a cable lock. My only issue is securing the battery, I hate it to take it off.

I tend to use a ulock and a heavier grade snowmobile cable. Whenever I lock it up I always try to find a location where I can keep eyes on the bike. In a fast food joint I’ll usually find a place to lock it up right next to a major window or door. And then I’ll try to get a place to set so I’m as close to the bike as I can get. A lot of foot traffic is going to be useful too, just to much people traffic for a thief to get really comfortable.

If you have a front wheel quick release, take it off and lock it between the frame and rear wheel with your Abus lock

Thank you for this I'm buying my first E bike and I live in LA need I say more I'm learning so much from you.. bikes should come with that standard

helpful, thanks

Used to be a bikethief. Best ways to keep your bike safe are: don't buy expensive bike unless you can store it inside. If they don't know you have it, you won't lose it. The second best is to not be the most expensive bike in the row. Locking it while outside, it has to be thru the frame and rear tire, to a post anchored to the ground or a wall. Get an alarm. If those were around when i was doing it... there is no way we could've stolen so many and we probably would've not even started. Cheap pin tumbler and tubular locks can both be picked almost as fast as you can use a key to open them, your lock is not a stopper, it is a time waster. More expensive locks take more time to pick or break. About 90% of the bikes we stole were simply carried to a waiting car. Once i stole a bike while the owner had his back to me on ATM machine. It takes seconds if it is not tied to something solid and the stupidest thing is that if you are confident while doing it, no one will stop you. If you don't look like a thief and it seems that you know what you are doing, you look people in the eyes like anyone else, they go about their day "he seems to know what he is doing". So, do NOT leave your bike without locking it to solid object, not for 1 minute when you pop in to a store. The amount of shit you can get away with if you show confidence is incredible and it kind of scares me as it seems to work the same elsewhere too, like in politics but i digress.. Now that we have youtube, look around for videos of people using various bolt cutters to go thru locks and figure out a solution for you that works. Remember, no lock is 100% safe, all you can do is to extend the amount of time it takes to open it. The tools of the trade are strong and competent thieves are quite clever but also brutal. Your bike is worth money even if it is taken for parts. The way we ran our "shop" was to disassemble the bikes and use the best parts for the best frame and put the rest back together in semi-random order, what ever looked like a good combo and changed the original configuration enough to be a different bike. We did not bother with S/R numbers, the buyers were quite aware of the nature of the business, even when we did sell them in square market (there are open days when you can set up a store in the town squares for free, like a pop up bike store)..

Thank-you for your video on Locks. Since batteries are so expensive, would you suggest taking them with you if possible?

What's your take on a half-inch steel cable with a solid padlock as a secondary thing? I'm fine with some extra weight, so I'm thinking a solid u-lock as a primary, a cable through each tire and the frame and whatever the frame is locked to, and now that I've heard about it a café lock to finish it out. No guarantees I know, but that make it about as secure as it's possible to be?

There are 3 locks that are grinder cut-off proof: Hiplok D1000 for $385. Altor SAF Lock at $299. SkunkLock at $299.

I have a U lock but it also came with a cable. I have no idea the folding locks were like that. Nice that Lectric offers one.

I just bought a 2020 Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 625 29 from you. Can you please confirm if the pinhead system will either work or not work with this bike. Thanks

Thank you!!!

Great info....I'm hoping the grocery store won't mind me bringing my bike inside and using it as a shopping cart.

I just got an idea. I'm pretty sure my bike would be safe hidden under a pile of unconscious bike thieves.

I bought a cheap rechargeable wireless alarm for my escooter. It is ear-piercing & will intensify if it is not deactivated by the remote on my keyring. It would be a great deterrant for someone attempting theft in a busy parking lot. I suppose the only other way to stop it would be to smash it if they recognize it for what it is. I still lock it up to a lamppost with a U lock hanging thru underside of my cushyseat & the cable goes thru the rear wheel & around the collapsable front handle. It is easier to do this than I thought. When I ride, the u stays thru the seat spring, the cable thru my basketframe & meets in front of my seatpost where it gets locked. Seems to work well. Just got an ebike & haven't worked out how I am doing that but I think the alarm is a great deterrant. Too many ppl around here have trucks with big tools & I'm pretty sure if they were determined, it wouldn't take long to bust a lock ! That alarm is key !!

Hexagonal cut chain links 12mm (naval style preferred) with lock, a folding lock, a wheel lock, a U lock, a brake lock, a motor that requires a code to be input to it like an iPhone, secure all quick releases including seat, removed battery and then park in the open near a camera. All or a combo should guarantee maybe 10 minutes security and a good enough level of piece of mind on a bike under 3.5K

What would you recommend for the Aventon Level ebike?

Would love to know your thoughts on how secure the Vanmoof ebikes are? Could yo do a feature?

Register your bike on Garage 529 and add sticker. Discourages thieves and will assist in reuniting you with your bike.

I have 2 disc locks for each wheel, Ulock and cable lock, it has a electric motor built in lock and alarm and I have a aftermarket alarm fitted too

surprised you didn't mention chain locks, I personally use a "HipLok" that can be worn as a belt

this is the first time in 10 years that I own a bike, went for an electric one good tips :) I also decided to tape an airtag under the seat just for extra safety, I feel much safer leaving my bike out since(yes I know a thief can just remove it but I doubt most people will check under and that their phone will alert them instantly because of the airtag following them)

I have a X class 52V Ariel Rider. The rear wheel takes A LOT of effort to get off and you need tools. Should I bother locking that up, or should I stick with U locking the frame and then chain locking the front wheel + the frame at the same time?

The lock is a nurses lock or a frame lock and the bike rack is called a "Sheffield stand" first invented in Sheffield UK.

Ha! I have 5 locks! Abus cafe, 2 Abus chains, abus folding lock and a cryptonite u lock and insurance. Also, I have the pin thingy’s for the wheels and seat.

Where to buy this quick release alarm you are recommend

Thank you

I like discretely placed pad locks on the sprocket and wheels just so they can’t ride away with my bike. Worked on my motorcycle.

Check out the Linka LEO 2 Pro. Decent Cafe lock with an external chain. It has an alarm and tracking.

Good video.

I see a lot of different brands of disc brake locks with alarms on the market. Which one(s) are best for eBikes?

Can you please do a video on how to securely lock front cargo bikes.

How does one cover bike and effectively lock it? I have a thick cable lock but want to go through frame to pole hence not allowing the cover to fully cover bike

Thanks.

I usually ride with my girlfriend so I have two bikes to secure. I use some of the locks you recommend and I have a bike alarm that goes off with very little movement of the bike. The next step I have taken is using two walkie-talkies and leaving one in my bike trunk on voice activation so it transmits when the bike alarm goes off. You do need the check the range of the radio before relying on that. The final step I take is to take a bike cover so the bikes can not be seen. It is tough to get the cover off without setting off the alarm. I hope doing all this discourages any thief from trying to steal my bikes. With that said I know professional thieves could steal my bikes but most likely they are somewhere watching you secure your bike and they will go after your bike shortly after you park it and get out of sight. So another tool to use is to look around for people that may be watching you and if you think there may be someone then secure your bike and walk away and get out of sight and then find a place you can observe your bike.

I'm 60 years old and just purchased my first e-bike, this was some of my thoughts as I assembled it. Putting the front tire on as I put the quick release in the lock position, I couldn't help wonder why there wasn't a way to lock the quick release to the fork. I also wondered why there wasn't a built in way to lock the handlebar like a steering wheel in a car. I know this is a bit off the question but anyway, just my thoughts.

I got the pin head lockdown skewers they are pretty cool little pricey $60 for the front and back lockdowns

GPS locks work with your phone but won't work most times , because when you're out of blu-tooth area your phone won't show any info of where your bike has been taken. Same applies to bike alarms that are supposed to warn you on your phone when someone is trying to steal your bike.

Does the Pinhead system have a key for each component or one for each client?

The best way is to insert a gps tracker in the battery compartment, so when it disappears you'll be able to track its location. Many ebikes have keyaccess battery compartments which prevent theft of a bike battery so it's a good place for a tracker. All other means are failures I think. If someone is determined they'll take your bike. An angle grinder can practically defeat any lock.

GPS isn't for the cops. They never help. GPS is for you to go yourself and see if it's safe to just take it back.

Specialized has a new locking system on their EBikes Vado Como & Tero. It works with Mission Control locks the wheels disable the motor and has I think a gps tracking. I wonder if this is even sufficient