How to Make Your Bike Really Hard to Steal

Bike theft is a profitable crime. The arrival of e-bikes has made it even more lucrative.

Ten years ago, bike theft was a $500 million problem. Today, it’s over $1 billion, according to bike registry Project 529. The group says nearly two million bikes are stolen in North America each year.

I’ve felt that heartbreak. I once watched a thief ride off on my bike. I now equip myself for action in three phases:

• Secure the bike with strong U-locks

• Scare would-be thieves with an alarm if they get close

• Search with a location tracker if the bike gets stolen

Apple’s AirTags—which already track luggage, pets and at times even people—might seem like an obvious choice. But securing an AirTag to a bike can be hit-or-miss. In my testing, the $60 Knog Scout is better: It’s like an AirTag, because it uses Apple’s powerful Find My thing-finding network, but it also has an alarm and secure mounting system.

Google recently announced its own Find My Device network, so better Android-compatible accessories are on the way, too.

Whether you’re a biker or e-biker, on iOS or Android, here are the locks, alarms and trackers worth adding to your antitheft arsenal. Some bike models come with all of it already built in.

The right lock

Your first line of defense is a set of locks that makes your bike look like too much work to steal, says Bryan Hance, co-founder of Bike Index, a nonprofit bike-registration service.

Cable locks are a no-go because they’re easily snipped, he says. Hance recommends sturdier U-locks, basically large metal padlocks. He warns that motivated thieves can defeat cheaper, thinner models with hand-held power tools.

Sold Secure, an independent certification lab for security devices, has an online database where you can compare different models’ antitheft resistance. If you live in a high-theft area, such as a college campus or an urban city center, look for Diamond, the organization’s highest rating.

Use multiple locks to secure the frame and both wheels, Hance says. Also important: Make sure the thing you’re attaching the bike to—whether it’s a rack or lamp post—can’t be easily moved or cut through.

Essential accessories

As I mentioned, the Knog Scout is a Find My-compatible accessory, which means it works like an AirTag and you can track it with your iPhone. The device screws into the mount where water-bottle cages go, and it works if you also want the bottle holder.

There are two reasons I’d opt for a Scout over an AirTag:

#1—It includes a motion-sensing alarm to ward off potential thieves. Once you lock up your bike, you can arm the Scout through the Knog app or by pressing a button on the device.

Jostling the bike triggers an 85-decibel ring—about as loud as a leaf blower. It stops after a minute if no further motion is detected. If you’re within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet) when it happens, the Scout will also alert your phone.

#2—The Scout’s screws require a proprietary tool to remove. A thief could probably knock it off with a hammer, but that risks damaging the frame and reducing resale value.

The Scout’s rechargeable battery should last six months on a charge. (AirTags’ coin-cell batteries need to be replaced after about a year.) If you don’t need an alarm, there are similar bike-bottle AirTag holders with security screws. The $29 AirTag is sold separately.

The Scout and other Find My accessories only work with compatible iPhones. Knog says an Android-friendly version is in the works.

The Chipolo One Point ($28) tracker is compatible with Google’s Android-based Find My Device network, and will be available in mid-July. It works with existing Chipolo-compatible bike accessories.

If you want a motion alarm, there are some options on Amazon.com, though they’re clunkier than the Scout. Garmin Edge cycling computers can ring if your parked bike moves, and notify you if you’re in Bluetooth range.

Beefy e-bikes

With some new rides, you won’t need to worry about adding security extras, because they come built in.

Velotric’s T1 ST ($1,299) appears on Apple’s Find My network. Cowboy’s C4 ($3,490) comes with GPS trackers.

Some Specialized e-bikes have a system-lock mode that deactivates the motor and arms a motion sensor—sounding an alarm when triggered.

Bikes with newer Bosch motors, such as those from Cannondale and Trek, can similarly lock the motor from the eBike Flow app. You need a premium Flow+ subscription (first year free, then $35 annually), plus a ConnectModule accessory ($104), to enable the alarm and satellite geolocating.

For built-in theft deterrence, it’s hard to beat VanMoof models ($2,498 and up). The seat and wheels use security screws. When the rear-wheel lock is enabled, the bike’s motion detector activates and can trigger a loud growling sound. The e-bikes also include a cellular chip for location tracking. Models sold after April 2021 appear on Apple’s Find My.

VanMoof also offers three-year theft coverage for $398. If the company can’t recover your bike within two weeks, it will replace it.

Trace—with caution

Rob Brunt, a former bike-theft detective with the Vancouver Police Department in Canada, says before your bike is stolen, upload its serial number and photos of distinctive features to a free online bike registry. Do it on both Project 529 (where Brunt is currently chief outreach officer) and Bike Index. This helps law enforcement seize your bike if it’s tracked down.

Brunt adds that location trackers are responsible for some success stories, but people should be aware of their limitations. You can use an AirTag or third-party accessory to pinpoint an address in a suburb. “But take that into downtown New York and try to figure out which high rise, what floor or what unit, and it becomes less effective,” he says. 

You can provide police with the location data but don’t be a hero. “I don’t recommend going after your bike,” he says. “Your safety is more important.”

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Write to Nicole Nguyen at [email protected]