4 ms·

I'd also want to know how to deal with the worry about someone stealing it while you're in a store or restaurant. I was nervous enough about my regular bike, b

I'd also want to know how to deal with the worry about someone stealing it while you're in a store or restaurant. I was nervous enough about my regular bike, but an expensive e-bike worries me too much.

kjkjadksj 4y ago
When my bike was stolen it was in an underground parking garage. The thief was able to go to a known place with a dozen bikes and not any solid foot traffic and take everything. Outside a store or restaurant during business hours, however, is a much more risky proposition for a thief from all the foot traffic. They’d rather pursue low hanging fruit like apartment parking garages where their efforts will probably guarantee them a half dozen bikes in one go. You should also always insure your bike. My renters insurance covers mine for theft with zero deductible.
- BrianHenryIE 4y ago
  My renters insurance (Lemonade) "covers 'pedal-assist' bikes, and only models that do not have a throttle option." Subtle point that might catch people out.
worldmerge 4y ago
Get a U Lock and the cable attachment and lock up to secure posts.
wolongong942 4y ago
Don't live in California?
bagels 4y ago
I ride bikes a lot. The only way to not have your bike stolen is to bring it in the shops with you, and store it in areas the public cannot see or access it (basically, in your house). It will get stolen if locked up outside, even if there are many people around. It will get stolen from your private parking garage with security guards, and it will get stolen from your second floor balcony.
- paulcole 4y ago
  I also ride a bike a lot in Portland, OR and have never had a bike stolen. Bike theft is not inevitable and there’s a lot you can do to minimize your risk. Park it near other bikes. Lock it up properly with a good U-Lock (yes, these can be defeated but thieves are more likely to be opportunistic drug addicts than dorky guys with YouTube channels). Add a chain lock around the other tire if you’re super nervous. Don’t leave your bike outside overnight (locked up or not). Bring your bike into your home/apartment - even if your building has a bike room or bike parking area. Add your bike to your renter/homeowners insurance - this is not expensive and adds some peace of mind. Yes, your bike might get stolen, but a lot of things might happen.
  - Zuider 4y ago
    If you live on the North American continent, you can register your bike at Project 529, which can help in retrieving a stolen bike or ensure you don't buy a stolen one. https://project529.com/garage https://project529.com/garage Video on the same topic: There's a proven way to stop bike theft. So why are so few cities doing it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48V9Xtpgq9I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48V9Xtpgq9I
    - paulcole 4y ago
      I don’t even have to watch the video to tell you the answer when it comes to American cities: American cities don’t care about bikes. Many American cities (and American governments, at the local, state, and federal level) don’t care about much of anything, to be honest. There’s a proven way to avoid putting innocent people to death by lethal injection (death penalty). There’s a proven way to eliminate the terror of medical bankruptcy. Why aren’t these things being done in America?
- 8bitsrule 4y ago
  In this 10-minute video a bike messenger demos several really useful points abou theft-prevention. (And what he's still nervous about.) Edit: URL (sheesh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkJP9D6fms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkJP9D6fms
rednerrus 4y ago
Get a fat chain lock and a motorcycle disc lock/alarm. Don't park it somewhere remote.
causi 4y ago
If I recall correctly quite a few ebikes fold down into something the size of a briefcase. Bring it with you.
- giraffe_lady 4y ago
  That's absolutely a defining feature of the ones that do, and it has significant tradeoffs in cost, robustness, battery life & power, etc. Doesn't make it a bad choice necessarily but it's not really like a nice extra. It's something you decide up front that then drastically changes your buying options.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
bootlooped 4y ago
I use multiple locks when I have to leave mine outside for an extended period. Like 2 U-locks, a cable and possibly a padlock. An angle grinder will still go through all that, but I'm hoping a thief would just pick an easier target.
- AstralStorm 4y ago
  If bike theft is that much of a problem, might as well remove the front wheel and take it with you. (And/or the battery.) The seat too. Ulock or chain the rest.
  - bootlooped 4y ago
    I have Hexlox on all the components, and both wheels will usually get a U-lock or cable securing them.
michael1999 4y ago
It depends on the city and neighbourhood. Some places you'll be fine with cheap u-lock. Others are suffer professional criminals, and you should get a Brompton you can hide under a dinner table, or in the coat-check. In the middle, a good u-lock combined with a cable is fine for daylight hours.

kjkjadksj 4y ago

When my bike was stolen it was in an underground parking garage. The thief was able to go to a known place with a dozen bikes and not any solid foot traffic and take everything. Outside a store or restaurant during business hours, however, is a much more risky proposition for a thief from all the foot traffic. They’d rather pursue low hanging fruit like apartment parking garages where their efforts will probably guarantee them a half dozen bikes in one go. You should also always insure your bike. My renters insurance covers mine for theft with zero deductible.

BrianHenryIE 4y ago
My renters insurance (Lemonade) "covers 'pedal-assist' bikes, and only models that do not have a throttle option." Subtle point that might catch people out.

worldmerge 4y ago

Get a U Lock and the cable attachment and lock up to secure posts.

wolongong942 4y ago

Don't live in California?

bagels 4y ago

I ride bikes a lot. The only way to not have your bike stolen is to bring it in the shops with you, and store it in areas the public cannot see or access it (basically, in your house). It will get stolen if locked up outside, even if there are many people around. It will get stolen from your private parking garage with security guards, and it will get stolen from your second floor balcony.

paulcole 4y ago
I also ride a bike a lot in Portland, OR and have never had a bike stolen. Bike theft is not inevitable and there’s a lot you can do to minimize your risk. Park it near other bikes. Lock it up properly with a good U-Lock (yes, these can be defeated but thieves are more likely to be opportunistic drug addicts than dorky guys with YouTube channels). Add a chain lock around the other tire if you’re super nervous. Don’t leave your bike outside overnight (locked up or not). Bring your bike into your home/apartment - even if your building has a bike room or bike parking area. Add your bike to your renter/homeowners insurance - this is not expensive and adds some peace of mind. Yes, your bike might get stolen, but a lot of things might happen.
- Zuider 4y ago
  If you live on the North American continent, you can register your bike at Project 529, which can help in retrieving a stolen bike or ensure you don't buy a stolen one. https://project529.com/garage https://project529.com/garage Video on the same topic: There's a proven way to stop bike theft. So why are so few cities doing it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48V9Xtpgq9I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48V9Xtpgq9I
  - paulcole 4y ago
    I don’t even have to watch the video to tell you the answer when it comes to American cities: American cities don’t care about bikes. Many American cities (and American governments, at the local, state, and federal level) don’t care about much of anything, to be honest. There’s a proven way to avoid putting innocent people to death by lethal injection (death penalty). There’s a proven way to eliminate the terror of medical bankruptcy. Why aren’t these things being done in America?
8bitsrule 4y ago
In this 10-minute video a bike messenger demos several really useful points abou theft-prevention. (And what he's still nervous about.) Edit: URL (sheesh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkJP9D6fms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkJP9D6fms

rednerrus 4y ago

Get a fat chain lock and a motorcycle disc lock/alarm. Don't park it somewhere remote.

causi 4y ago

If I recall correctly quite a few ebikes fold down into something the size of a briefcase. Bring it with you.

giraffe_lady 4y ago
That's absolutely a defining feature of the ones that do, and it has significant tradeoffs in cost, robustness, battery life & power, etc. Doesn't make it a bad choice necessarily but it's not really like a nice extra. It's something you decide up front that then drastically changes your buying options.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

bootlooped 4y ago

I use multiple locks when I have to leave mine outside for an extended period. Like 2 U-locks, a cable and possibly a padlock. An angle grinder will still go through all that, but I'm hoping a thief would just pick an easier target.

AstralStorm 4y ago
If bike theft is that much of a problem, might as well remove the front wheel and take it with you. (And/or the battery.) The seat too. Ulock or chain the rest.
- bootlooped 4y ago
  I have Hexlox on all the components, and both wheels will usually get a U-lock or cable securing them.

michael1999 4y ago

It depends on the city and neighbourhood. Some places you'll be fine with cheap u-lock. Others are suffer professional criminals, and you should get a Brompton you can hide under a dinner table, or in the coat-check. In the middle, a good u-lock combined with a cable is fine for daylight hours.