E-bike jacking?

[Over50]

Delivery guy gets e-bike stolen out from under him

A food delivery worker’s e-bike was stolen out from under him in the West Village, police said Tuesday. The robbery took place as the 33-year-old deliveryman was riding his bike on Greenwich Avenue…

nypost.com

Actually I recently had a conversation with some knowledgeable folks who felt that perhaps once e-bikes are better known, that we urban commuters might have additional security concerns. Apart from the standard bike theft/lock cutting concerns.

 

[Over50]

It's hard to tell by this article itself. Bike thefts like this happen all the time. Whether they're MTBs, Roadbikes, eBikes, etc.

Were they specifically targeting ebikes? or just bikes in general?

I haven't heard stories of bikes being stolen via strong armed robbery. Yes, bike theft is very common. But do urbanites need to worry about bike jacking due to the higher values of the bikes and growing popularity?

 

[Ebiker01]

Carrying 2 pepper sprays somewhere on the handlebar(one on let side /other on right side) in a very easy to reach place is a good idea for that type of situation.

 

[indianajo]

It takes me about 2 seconds to get the 10 lb steel cable with a master lock on the end out of the pannier. That guy wouldn't look so good the second robbery.
Pepper spray is good for nipping dogs, too.

 

[6zfshdb]

If I were riding or parking my bike in urban neighborhoods at night, I would consider a GPS tracker. It won't protect you from harm or keep the bike from being stolen but it would go a long way toward recovering it.

 

[Rob NJ]

If I were riding or parking my bike in urban neighborhoods at night, I would consider a GPS tracker. It won't protect you from harm or keep the bike from being stolen but it would go a long way toward recovering it.

After having the SuperCommuter stolen off the car rack, we are also considering some GPS type options, although we have not done anything yet. Also thought about putting a label on the bike that says something along the lines of “This bike is fitted with a hidden GPS tracker that cannot be disabled. This bike can be tracked by law enforcement and found quickly”. Thought we could use our PTouch to make nice labels.

if someone has a good solution, I would be interested.

 

[6zfshdb]

There are many bike locking ideas posted here in a number of threads. The best method to use depends on location and individual circumstances. Just do an EBR search on "locks" and you may get some ideas.

I travel a lot with my bikes on a rack. If I'm staying at a hotel, my first choice is to bring the bikes into the room with me. Otherwise, I usually lock the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle using a Foldylock and a Master handcuff type lock. In addition, I use this audible alarm which was recommended by several fellow cyclists:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0734QN8KR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's cheap but quite effective if set up properly. The sensitivity can be set so any movement at all will trigger a very loud audible alarm. It can either be installed on the bike or the vehicle.

 

[Rob NJ]

There are many bike locking ideas posted here in a number of threads. The best method to use depends on location and individual circumstances. Just do an EBR search on "locks" and you may get some ideas.

I travel a lot with my bikes on a rack. If I'm staying at a hotel, my first choice is to bring the bikes into the room with me. Otherwise, I usually lock the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle using a Foldylock and a Master handcuff type lock. In addition, I use this audible alarm which was recommended by several fellow cyclists:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0734QN8KR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's cheap but quite effective if set up properly. The sensitivity can be set so any movement at all will trigger a very loud audible alarm. It can either be installed on the bike or the vehicle.

Thanks! We do the same at hotels. I like the idea of the motion sensor. Will look into that!

 

[Ken M]

Is it as easy as some say to block GPS signals. I know there are simple signal sensors that can detect a GPS transmitter so maybe it's just a simple to task to then jam the signal.

I like the idea of hiding a motion sensor or even multiple motion sensor (place on in an obvious location so maybe the 2nd one gets the job done. I know a motion sensing lock saved my ebike one night from being stolen off my porch.

When it comes to professional bike thieves there isn't much that will stop them. Make it look challenging and maybe they move on.

 

[6zfshdb]

Professional bike thieves will cover a stolen bike with a Faraday blanket to block GPS signals. Thankfully, most thieves aren't that smart.

Audible alarms work best in conjunction with mechanical locking devices. Only the boldest thieves will take the time to pick or cut a lock with a siren blaring in his face.

 

[GypsyTreker]

After having the SuperCommuter stolen off the car rack, we are also considering some GPS type options, although we have not done anything yet. Also thought about putting a label on the bike that says something along the lines of “This bike is fitted with a hidden GPS tracker that cannot be disabled. This bike can be tracked by law enforcement and found quickly”. Thought we could use our PTouch to make nice labels.

if someone has a good solution, I would be interested.

Personally I think any kind of signage might simply encourage a thief. Tell the police you have tracked your stolen bicycle and then see how long it takes, if ever, to have police go to retrieve it or track down the perps. In the PD's very long list of things they need to do, bicycle theft might even be at the very bottom right next to verbal asult.

 

[6zfshdb]

Personally I think any kind of signage might simply encourage a thief. Tell the police you have tracked your stolen bicycle and then see how long it takes, if ever, to have police go to retrieve it or track down the perps. In the PD's very long list of things they need to do, bicycle theft might even be at the very bottom right next to verbal asult.

This is very true. However, there have been a number of reported cases where an owner has tracked & recovered the stolen bike himself using GPS. Sometimes a thief will abandon the bike somewhere or leave it outside in plain sight. In this case, if the police were notified, it's important to let them know you recovered the bike yourself. Otherwise, you could be arrested for stealing your own property.

 

[GypsyTreker]

This is very true. However, there have been a number of reported cases where an owner has tracked & recovered the stolen bike himself using GPS. Sometimes a thief will abandon the bike somewhere or leave it outside in plain sight. In this case, if the police were notified, it's important to let them know you recovered the bike yourself. Otherwise, you could be arrested for stealing your own property.

I totally agree. Tracking devices on eBikes make total sense. My comment was mostly aimed at advertising the fact.

 

[trainman]

We purchased two Abus 6500 locks to lock up our e bikes when camping in camping grounds and when eating at restaurants with views of our bikes wile eating. Leaving our bike totally untended will probably never happen, or only for a very short time and it would be in an area where thief would hopefully not be a high crime area. Were not gullible enough to think things can't happen, but using as much commonsense on this matter is all we can hope for.

 

[Robyn S]

Carrying 2 pepper sprays somewhere on the handlebar(one on let side /other on right side) in a very easy to reach place is a good idea for that type of situation.

Very good idea, thanks for suggesting that

 

[ki11a]

They have angle grinder proof locks that are crazy tough, but heavy and pricey.....Altor SAF Lock, and Ive also been checking this bike lock that comes with a built in alarm and pager system that lets you know if it goes off its called the Bully Bike Lock.

Right now I am using a chain and Ulock, both kryptonite....but when that year warrenty runs out I may go for the Bully lock.

Oh yeah, I have a hidden GPS tracker on my bike too...great peace of mind.

 

[CdnShaun]

Question for those who have GPS tracker already - how does it 'call home' exactly? Does it have a sim-based cellular data plan? Does it have to pair with other tracking devices to get signal to the internet and back to you?

Do you have the charge it's batteries often?

I would very much appreciate even quick answers to your experience and if you don't mind sharing, what models/devices you have had success with.

 

[CdnShaun]

Realizing this year I plan to ride out and away from home a lot more, possibly some bike camping trips (fingers crossed the camp grounds allow overnight camping here soon) I have ordered and expect any day now this security device:

Boomerang by CycloTrac - https://boomerangbike.com/

There is a great review here on EBR of the Version 1 edition that I found -

The above video was actually one of the few I found that lead me to these forums and now have joined.

Version 2 of the boomerang is now shipping and looks to improve on version 1. Once I have it installed and setup I will happily share my experience here in the forums.

Oh, to start with I purchased 2 units. The first unit will be mounted to my primary (and most expensive) ebike I'm building. The second unit was purchased with a lockable clamp it mounts to which allows me to bring it with me on all my other bikes (and for anyone with multiple bikes but only wish to purchase one security device this setup should work) and yes, I will carry the second unit hidden in my carry bag of my primary bike when I go for all day/multi-day rides on my primary bike - I mean why not?

Cheers

 

[ki11a]

Most if not all GPS are SIM card based, either you provide your own or pay to use their services. The GPS tracker I bought isnt specialized to a bike or anything, its just a tiny tracker that can be hidden easily.

You need to buy a extra SIM card with GPS service on it; I got speedtalk for 5 dollars a month.

I bought my tracker for about 25 bucks on amazon although it seem my specific model has sold out; but there are tons just like it. The battery life on the tiny thing is very surprising; lasts a week on one charge. It comes with an app that you can check on the location and it automatically records the location every 5 minutes or so. You can check on the location real time too with just texting a number, you can set a motion alarm or speed alarm. You can set a geofence. Its crazy what value you can get if you just look, anyways it IS a bit tricky to set up...thats the only con I can think of.

This thing gives me great peace of mind.

 

[CdnShaun]

Most if not all GPS are SIM card based, either you provide your own or pay to use their services. The GPS tracker I bought isnt specialized to a bike or anything, its just a tiny tracker that can be hidden easily.

You need to buy a extra SIM card with GPS service on it; I got speedtalk for 5 dollars a month.

I bought my tracker for about 25 bucks on amazon although it seem my specific model has sold out; but there are tons just like it. The battery life on the tiny thing is very surprising; lasts a week on one charge. It comes with an app that you can check on the location and it automatically records the location every 5 minutes or so. You can check on the location real time too with just texting a number, you can set a motion alarm or speed alarm. You can set a geofence. Its crazy what value you can get if you just look, anyways it IS a bit tricky to set up...thats the only con I can think of.

This thing gives me great peace of mind.

Thanks ki11a!

I realize now I was looking for bicycle specific in my search and never thought to look for generic GPS tracking devices that could be easily installed on/within my ebikes. I will go searching this week and look to add to what I have already planned for extra security and peace of mind.

Thanks!