E-bike battery theft: why it happens so often and what you can do about it

Electric bikes have become an indispensable part of the street scene. With that popularity, however, a new form of bicycle theft has emerged: stealing e-bike batteries.

The battery is often the most expensive part of the bike and therefore an attractive target. In this article, you will read why battery theft happens so often, what you can do against it, and how smart registration via Bikebaze helps to protect your e-bike.

Why the battery is so popular with thieves

The battery of an e-bike is costly, simple to remove, and easy to resell. In 2022, nearly 4,500 e-bike batteries were stolen in the Netherlands, three times as many as the year before (these are police reports, so the actual number is much higher).

Additionally:

• The battery can often be clicked loose without too many tools.
• Professional gangs are increasingly targeting e-bikes.
• More than 750,000 bicycles are stolen annually.
• The combination of high value and low chance of getting caught makes the battery an attractive target.

Three effective measures against battery theft

1. Always take your battery with you

Many e-bike owners leave the battery behind when they are away for a short moment. Yet that is exactly the moment when thieves strike. Take the battery off, especially if you park the bike outside or in an open bicycle storage.

2. Use an extra lock or security

A single ring lock offers insufficient protection. Use at least two locks: for example, a U-lock through the frame and a chain through the front wheel. Special brackets or locks are available for the battery that prevent thieves from simply clicking it loose. Professional thieves often use tools like a “powerkey”, so extra security is not an unnecessary luxury.

3. Register your e-bike and battery

One of the most effective measures is registration and marking. By registering your bike and battery, you can prove that you are the owner and the chance increases that stolen parts are recognized.

Via BIKEBAZE you easily register your e-bike and battery. You receive a digital proof of ownership and can use a SafeTag sticker to mark your bike clearly. Thieves prefer to skip registered bikes with an anti-theft sticker, because they are traceable faster.

What to do if your battery is stolen anyway

• File a report with the police immediately and state the serial number of your bike and battery.
• Report the theft in your BIKEBAZE account, so the serial number is included in the database.
• Check second-hand platforms and watch out for suspicious ads. Stolen batteries are often offered online (source: nu.nl).

Conclusion

Battery theft is a growing problem in the Netherlands, but it is quite preventable. By taking your battery with you, using multiple locks, and registering your e-bike, you significantly reduce the chance of theft.

BIKEBAZE makes it easy to safely register your bike and visibly mark it. This way, everyone knows that your e-bike will not just disappear, but is part of a system in which ownership is protected.