I am moving to Brisbane from China and plan to buy a e-bike there, while I heard that it's kind of common for e-bike to be stolen in Australia.
Is it true? If yes, could you please share some suggestions on how to avoid being stolen?
Any Suggestions on How to Prevent Theft of e-bikes?
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Or OP can get this abomination, although it not quite a "bike", can folder it up and carry it everywhere.
Not a bike legallly so can cause issurs in some states
I've had 3 bikes stolen over a number of years. Bought various and expensive locks. I had someone try to steal a bike (not mine) right in front of me so I called them out - they just about got through the lock too and it wasn't a cheap one (although was an expensive combination lock).
These days, I hear there are people that walk around with battery operated angle-grinders which can get through even an expensive lock in a matter of moments.
I have two e-bikes and I never leave them out of sight or outside of arms length.
I don't think the theft is limited to e-bikes.. Even sh#$box old bikes get stolen.
I hear there are people that walk around with battery operated angle-grinders
The well publicized video of that was from the UK:
https://youtu.be/omwszNh36J4i can't believe they all just stood there and watched
Why? I totally understand why people watch. I’m not going to risk getting stabbed by some gronk eshay over someone else’s pushbike.
Do you have proof that it’s not his bike? While it is obvious that it isnt, all he has to say is “yeah brah, lost muh keys brah” and that’s that (Unless you own the bike or know the owner of the bike).
Videoing it and recording the incident is also liable to get you stabbed by gronks, but it’s less likely than trying to go hands on and you can hand that video to police who will also do nothing.
@pegaxs: it's just surprising to me, i would have expected that everyone who saw it would take some sort of action, at least block what is clearly a thief from getting away with stealing the bike.
it's quite clear by their behaviour that it isn't their bike. he can say that it's his bike, but only a fool would believe him if he is acting like the guys in the video.
I had a mate who managed to lose his bike lock key while at the cinema years ago. He walked across the road to Bunnings, bought a hacksaw and spent 30min at the cinema entrance cutting the lock off. Not a single person questioned him.
Quality lock and chain is the only way and you have to understand what you're actually trying to achieve is make it inconvenient enough that any potential thief moves on to an easier target because it won't stop them if they really want it.
Any Suggestions on How to Prevent Theft of e-bikes?
Don't buy one?
may as well recommend not being born as well while youre at it
That would work too…
would take care of all future security issues as well
op you have your answer/s
While not uncommon it’s also not very common. Yes, there are bike thieves around. Most of the are opportunistic and will take what is easiest so your best bet is to make it harder to steal than the next one.
Good lock, include through frame and wheels. Replace quick release with bolts.
Don’t leave it in the same place all the time (gives theif opportunity to scope it and be prepared)
Don’t park it somewhere a thief won’t be interrupted (eg on the main street, not down an alley)
Keep it on sight where possible.
Don’t leave it for long.Etc etc
Lock it up with two locks and add an AirTag
Stealing any pushbike is a national past time in Australia. It’s like it is sport. I always laughed when I heard of all these companies that did short term bicycle rentals trying to make it here. You just can’t leave bicycles out in a nation that prides itself on thieving bicycles, it was never going to end well.
Anyway, don’t leave the bicycle somewhere you can’t see it. Make sure it is locked up in your house/garage when at home. When out, buy a decent bike lock and a GPS tracker of some description. The lock is only there to stop opportunistic thieves and not pros. AirTags are “ok” to use but thieves know how to scan for these and AirTags can be made to chirp their location for easy removal.
Also, don’t buy the most expensive e-bike you can buy, only buy something you are willing to have stolen, because in Australia, it’s not “if” but “when” when it comes to having your bike stolen.
In my experience, Japan is far worse for bike theft. Several reasons: 1 reason is because most people ride dirt-cheap grandma bikes that cost less than $100, and don't care too much if they get stolen. 2nd reason is they don't use proper locks. 3rd reason is people don't steal them for money. They just steal them to ride for half an hour because they're too lazy to walk somewhere. Local councils pick up thousands of discarded bicycles every month.
In Australia, you're more likely to get your bike stolen out of your garage by a meth-head in the middle of the night than in a dense inner city location in the daytime.
I don't agree with that pessimism. I've left my bike unattended and unlocked many times and never had it stolen. I believe the universe has a way of rewarding those who treat others the way they want to be treated.
Also depends on the area. Out in the suburbs, everyone has a community mindset. There aren't that many shady single people walking around. It's mostly parents and kids. But if you're heading out closer to a densely populated city full of random, yeah that's when bad shit happens.
Out in the burbs is where you get bored teenagers. Bored teenagers love to steal stuff for kicks.
Put fake rubber grips over your real handlebar grips. Then put glue all over the outside of the fake grips.
Also, use a very thick solid metal D lock. Difficult to cut through.
Buy an electric scooter instead of a bike, then you can fold it up and take it with you wherever it is that you're going
I don’t agree. Electric scooters are bloody dangerous, very heavy to carry, not great for exercising, and are pretty much limited to smooth surfaces. Can’t ride across grass, for example.
OP didn't say what he wanted to use it for. For just getting from A to B an electric scooter is fine. And better than a bike if worried about it being stolen.
Scooters aren't for everyone. They're uncomfortable and incredibly dangerous, and usually weigh 15-20kg. For some people that's a lot to carry around. For comparison, my road bike (non-electric) weighs 11kg.
@ForkSnorter: You're comparing apples and oranges then. An electric bike will weigh more than an electric scooter (your non electric one has no motor or battery) and is a lot more awkward to carry
@ForkSnorter: stop whining so much
i have one, it is fine. You mentioned that it is not for everyone, just because it is not for you does not mean it wouldn't be for OP. Besides, it's not any more dangerous than a regular bike.
I note that ALDI is now selling a foldable e-bike. Maybe fold it up when you arrive at work, and store in your office or workplace
- Product can potentially cause a manual handling injury due to its gross weight
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-3-s…
That is pretty gross. huehuehuehue
Serious tho; What range would that bad boy get?
Park it next to one that's easier to steal. If a scumbag comes along, they'll always take the easier option!
Don't leave it where it can be easily stolen? Store inside your home, workplace, etc.?
What if OP goes to the gym?
/s
Is there any insurance for bikes that covers theft?
Australian cities are generally not very bicycle friendly, and will put bike lanes right next to 80km/h vehicle lanes - extremely dangerous! If you are very lucky, you might have access to protected bicycle lanes, or bicycle paths that go through parks and reserves.
I would wait until you get to Brisbane, and see if you feel safe riding to where you need to go, and whether your destinations have secure bicycle parking facilities.
If visiting a supermarket, for example, I wouldn't leave the bike for more than 5 or 10 minutes, and would take the battery with me, and preferably a front wheel if it can be quick-released. That's 4kg of stuff, but you could put it in your shopping trolley.
If you have the money, you could buy a $4,000 Brompton folding bike, which folds into a small trolley-like shape that you can take with you inside supermarkets. Add another $3,000 if you want it electric.
Lastly, you could hide a bluetooth tracker on the bike, such as an Airtag or SmartTag+, so if it does get stolen, you could track it down and ask police to retrieve it for you. You would need an expensive UWB phone, otherwise it's not accurate enough to locate inside apartments.
ask police to retrieve it for you.
Wouldn't they have to fill out a police report first, have you report it as stolen, then mediate between the alleged thief and alleged owner?
That seems like too much trouble. Plus, I think they'd need a search warrant, so the guy could easily just hide the bike and then get rid of it before they come back.
If you know who took your bike, grab a friend and go knock on the door. Most people will cower up very quickly once confronted.
It might be a bit of effort, but you could take off the saddle and/or pedals when locking up the bike.
I guess if a thief really wanted your bike even without a saddle and/or pedals, they could steal it and walk away with it, but at least they won't be able to ride it away… (and you've got a saddle and/or pedals for a new replacement bike, yay!)
I wouldn't go removing the pedals on a daily basis, it probably wouldn't take too long to slog-out the alloy threads in the crank….
needs QR pedals?
Those QR pedals have a mounting part that screws into the crank and is never removed. The foot part slides out on a pin, as far as I remember… I think it's a good idea, a lot easier than carrying around a wheel.
Get an AirTag!
I had multiple locks on my bike in our buildings carpark and they were no match for an electric angle grinder!
Thanks to the AirTag I was able to track it down the next day and got it back.
What if they stolen by a bikie :)
They need more bike lockers. They build huge car parks at $50k each spot and them dont put any bike spots in for a fraction of that cost and womder why there is too much traffic…
Not something I have heard as a particular issue or seen happen here yet. Take the battery out when you leave it somewhere and make sure you have a decent lock that goes through both wheels.
Preferably, don't leave it anywhere public.