THEFT PROTECTION FOR BICYCLES AND E-BIKES: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

The bicycle is one of the most popular means of transport for short and medium distances and has become popular with commuters, especially in urban areas. However, ensuring an environmentally friendly replacement for cars seems increasingly complicated. In the blink of an eye, a bicycle thief can vanish down the nearest side street.
In 2018, 353,000 bicycle thefts were reported in Germany, 160,000 of which were insured bikes. The number of unreported cases is considerably higher. The high number of thefts and the organized methods involved indicate that these are not just opportunistic thieves, but rather more professional criminals.
Therefore, there are a few tips that should be followed when securing bicycles.

If someone really want to steal a bicycle, in most cases that person can do so, however there are simple and valuable tips that make theft more difficult. By investing a bit more time and implementing small strategic measures, bicycle theft can be effectively prevented.

• Connect instead of lock: Securing your bike with a lock seems like the most logical step, but not all locks are created equal. It's always best to secure both the frame and the front and rear wheels to a fixed object. Ensure that the bike, along with the lock, cannot be lifted over the fixed object.
• Height of the bike lock: When attaching the lock, it is also advisable to ensure that it is connected at a high position, such as at the crossbar. Many thieves use a bolt cutter and benefit from their own body weight when breaking the lock open. The lower the lock, the higher the leverage.
• Secure accessories: Dismountable parts such as wheels can also be secured with the lock. For accessories such as bicycle lights, bicycle computers and bags that cannot be secured, it is advisable to take them with you.
• Safety in a group: If there are several bikes, it is helpful if the bikes are also connected to each other. This increases the effort required to break open the locks.
• Transport your bike safely: It is also recommended to secure the bicycles when transporting them on a roof rack or trailer coupling. Waiting at traffic lights or during a short toilet visit at the motorway service area can lead to unpleasant surprises.
• Breaking the routine: Especially when commuting to work or school, it's a good idea to vary your parking spot regularly. This way thieves cannot easily determine when and where the bike is left unattended for several hours.
• Choice of location: Well-lit roads with public transport offer added protection for your bicycle. The risk increases in quiet, dark side streets where there’s less visibility. In some cities there are video-monitored bicycle garages where the bike can be safely parked. Please be aware of the opening hours, as some garages, such as those at universities, close overnight.
• Familiar surroundings aren't always safe: Parking your bike in the backyard of your usual environment may seem secure at first, but even trusted neighbours can have questionable acquaintances, and a delivery driver might accidentally leave a door open. The rule remains the same: safety first—always lock your bike properly, even at home.
• The dilemma of the combination lock: No matter how much you struggle to remember passwords and combinations, avoid using birth years for combination locks. A four-digit code starting with "19" or "20" can be easily cracked.
• Uniqueness: The aim of bicycle theft is in most cases the re-sale of the bike. The more distinctive the bicycle, the more difficult it is to resell it. The same goes for being cautious when buying second-hand items. Any bicycle bargains you find should be thoroughly checked before purchase. When a stolen bike is identified, the new owner must return it to its original owner. The purchase price will most likely not be refunded by the illegal seller.

Unfortunately, despite precautionary measures, your bicycle can be stolen. A rate of just 15.1% of solved cases by the police offers little hope. To improve the chances of recovering your bicycle or receiving compensation, the following tips can be helpful:

• Bicycle Coding: An encrypted personal code can lead to the stolen bicycle being returned to its rightful owner when it is found. The code consists of information about the place, owner, address and year and can be identified by the police even without a database. The code can be engraved in the frame or stuck on.
• Know your bicycle: If the stolen bicycle reappears, the owner must be able to identify it. The frame number, make and special features help. You can record such information in a bicycle passport, which you can get from the bicycle dealer, the police or the insurance company.
• Clarify Security Coverage: Bicycles and e-bikes are typically covered by household insurance if stolen from a locked garage or secured property. An additional clause can extend this coverage to theft outside, such as on the open road. However, for high-quality bikes like those equipped with a Pendix eDrive, separate bicycle insurance is recommended, as household insurance only covers up to 5% of the insured contents for an outdoor e-bike. Bicycle insurance can also be enhanced with a pick-up service and comprehensive coverage options.
• Report the theft: Even if the rate of theft investigations for bicycles is low, it is still worth reporting the theft to the police.