{"id":11268,"date":"2021-06-30T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fe.ampler.bike\/e-bike-security-guide\/"},"modified":"2022-11-18T16:16:02","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T16:16:02","slug":"e-bike-security-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.ampler.bike\/en-NL\/blog-en-nl\/e-bike-security-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Play it safe: E-bike security guide \u2013 from lock to insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Around 300,000 bicycles are stolen<\/a> in Germany each year \u2014 and the number of unreported cases is probably a good deal higher. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never been a victim of bike theft, you likely know someone who has. As a bike owner, it\u2019s time to take every precaution available to ensure your e-bike doesn\u2019t become another statistic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choosing the right lock<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Locking up your e-bike when not in use seems like a simple task, but there\u2019s more to bike locks than you may think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most bike thieves will target bikes with weaker locks, so the more robust your lock is, the better. So don\u2019t attract attention by using a weak lock\u2014choose your bike lock by security rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About security ratings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular security testing systems is Sold Secure<\/a>. They recognise and rate locks by four levels of safety, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bronze level covers locks that offer only basic theft defence, whilst Silver offers protection for leaving e-bikes and other high-value bikes in low-risk areas. The Gold ratings are for acceptable locks for high-value bikes in high-risk areas such as cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diamond level is for locks that keep the highest-value bikes and e-bikes safe in the riskiest of situations and areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When searching for a lock, you\u2019ll find options at every quality and price point, but Gold is a good starting point in terms of helping you choose the most effective lock for your bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold and Diamond locks are heavier and more expensive. However, those who value their investment don\u2019t mind carrying the extra weight and spending a little more. Some bike insurers will even require that you use a lock of a higher rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter which lock you choose, stay away from cheap cable-style ones and padlocks. They\u2019re easier for thieves to remove, so they\u2019re hardly worth purchasing. If you\u2019re using a cheap, inefficient lock, it only provides a false sense of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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D-Lock\/U-Lock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

D-locks (or U-locks, as they\u2019re also called) are typically lightweight with a high-security rating, which makes them very popular. In addition, they\u2019re usually competitively priced compared to other lock styles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many D-locks include a bracket that allows you to fix your lock to your bike frame so you can carry it more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downside to D-locks is that they\u2019re sometimes difficult to manoeuvre around whatever you\u2019re locking your bike to. Some of the thicker, smaller shackled designs are nearly impossible to manhandle. However, this isn\u2019t always a bad thing, as leaving as little space as possible around your lock will deter potential thieves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chain and padlock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The chain and padlock is a winning combination, as it combines high security with flexibility. You should strongly consider a chain and padlock approach if you\u2019re regularly locking your bike in awkward spots on the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are, however, some of the heaviest and most expensive locks available. For a chain to receive a Gold rating, it must have links that are a minimum of 9mm thick. Lighter chains will receive a Silver security rating at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Folding lock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folding locks are much lighter than chain and padlock locks, making them an excellent alternative to D-locks. In addition, these locks are more flexible than D-locks, thanks to rotating joints. You can wrap them around objects that you can\u2019t tackle with a D-lock. They\u2019re made of solid steel plates held together by large rivets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Park in a public place<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not impossible, but thieves are less likely to steal a bike in view of other people. Also, it\u2019s more difficult for them to fiddle with and break a lock when someone could easily catch them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, always park your e-bike in a public place. And try not to leave it locked up in public overnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lock your bike or e-bike to something secure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When considering where to lock up your bike, choose secure and fixed objects to lock your bike to. Here are a few ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n