How to properly lock your electric bike: tips and tricks

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, but with their high value, they’re also becoming a prime target for thieves. Properly securing your electric bike is crucial to prevent theft and ensure that it remains safe and secure. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices for locking an electric bike and provide additional tips for bike security.

Double Locks are the Key to Success!

To make it harder for thieves to steal your electric bike, you need to use both a D-lock and a cable lock. Here's how to do it:

• Take your cable lock and thread it through the front wheel, wrapping the cable through the wheel nice and tight.
• Next, take the round half of your U-lock and place it around a strong fence or pole, before slotting it through the rear wheel.
• Thread the U-lock through the hole in the cable lock, before locking it all into place.

This will give your electric bike double protection, providing a significantly bigger challenge for thieves wanting to steal your bike. If your lock is long enough, ideally you should also weave it through the main triangle, the rear wheel, and the removed front wheel.

Attach Your Electric Bike to Something Strong and Immovable

When securing your bike with a lock, make sure you attach it to something strong, immovable, and cemented to the ground. Bike racks and stands are the best options, as they are all of the above and thick enough to prevent thieves from damaging them. Other solid options include signposts, buildings, and other road-side infrastructure.

Choose a Wise Location

If you’re leaving your electric bike out and about for a while, picking the right spot is incredibly important. We recommend leaving it somewhere well-lit, and if there are CCTV cameras nearby, even better. Leaving it somewhere quiet and out of the way makes your electric bike an easy target for thieves, so always try to leave it somewhere where thieves will be spotted easily.

Keep it Indoors at Night

We also recommend not leaving your electric bike locked-up outside overnight, as this is prime time for thieves. Try to keep your electric bike inside when you go to sleep, whether this is your home, a garage, or another building. This might make all the difference.

Additional Tips for Bike Security

In addition to the best practices mentioned above, here are some additional tips for bike security:

• Remove the front wheel and lock it through the main triangle and to a fixed object, especially when a bike has quick-release axles.
• Swap out the seat post quick release clamp.
• Remove the controller, if possible.
• Use a lock that is appropriate for the value of the bike.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your electric bike from being stolen and ensure that it remains safe and secure.

FAQ

What is the best way to lock an e-bike?

The best way to lock an e-bike is to use both a D-lock and a cable lock. Thread the cable lock through the front wheel and wrap it tightly, then place the round half of the D-lock around a strong fence or pole and slot it through the rear wheel. Thread the D-lock through the hole in the cable lock and lock it into place.

How do I keep my electric bike from being stolen?

To keep your electric bike from being stolen, use double locks, attach it to something strong and immovable, choose a wise location, and keep it indoors at night. Additionally, remove the front wheel and lock it through the main triangle and to a fixed object, swap out the seat post quick release clamp, remove the controller if possible, and use a lock that is appropriate for the value of the bike.

Is it safe to lock an electric bike outside?

It is safe to lock an electric bike outside if you follow the best practices for bike security, such as using double locks, attaching it to something strong and immovable, choosing a wise location, and keeping it indoors at night. Additionally, remove the front wheel and lock it through the main triangle and to a fixed object, swap out the seat post quick release clamp, remove the controller if possible, and use a lock that is appropriate for the value of the bike.