A Guide To Preventing E-bike Theft

E-bikes don't come cheap, and that's exactly why thieves target them. With a decent motor, battery, and frame often adding up to a thousand pounds or more, a stolen e-bike is a costly loss - not to mention an inconvenient one.

The good news is that a few smart habits go a long way to keeping yours safe. Here's your guide to e-bike theft in the UK: which bikes get targeted, how to lock up properly, where to store your bike, and whether e-bike theft insurance is worth having.

Are e-bikes often stolen?

Yes, and rates of theft have been climbing for years. In London alone, the Metropolitan Police says that close to 3,000 powered cycles and e-bikes were stolen during 2025, a 21% increase from the previous year.

More e-bikes on the road, combined with their high resale value, means more targets for thieves. E-bikes can also be stripped, which means thieves don’t even need to handle hot property – they can sell the individual parts, like batteries and motors.

Cities are often e-bike theft hotspots, and when secure storage isn’t available, areas such as train stations, poorly-lit streets, and city centres could be the riskiest places for your bike.

What is the most stolen bike in the UK?

When it comes to brands, Specialized tops the list, with Riese & Müller, Trek, and Giant close behind, according to BikeRegister data. 

Together, these brands account for a large share of UK bike thefts, largely because they're among the most common bikes on the road, which gives thieves a ready market to resell them into.

If you own one of these or any higher-value bike, it's worth taking extra care when locking it up. Here's how.

What's the best way to lock up an e-bike?

• Use a multi-lock system: A combination of locks, and potentially a chain, covers different angles of attack and takes far longer to remove.
• Choose Sold Secure-rated locks: Look for Gold or Diamond ratings, which show that locks have been independently tested against common theft techniques.
• Lock the frame and wheels: Lock your e-bike’s frame and wheels for the best protection against theft. 
• Secure to a solid surface: An anchored bike rack, ground anchor, or wall bolt can stop your e-bike from being moved or tampered with.
• Remove the battery: If you can, remove the battery and keep it with you. Thieves may be less likely to target an e-bike missing this valuable component. 

Where should you store an e-bike at home?

Safe storage when you’re out and about is one thing, but you also need to ensure your bike is secure once you’re at home for the evening too. 

If possible, bring it inside. A locked garage, shed, or hallway offers far better protection than leaving it outside overnight, even if it's locked up or there’s an alarm. If possible, bolt a ground anchor into concrete, a wall, or another solid surface, regardless of whether your e-bike is kept outside or in a shed. A motion-activated alarm is also worth considering for extra security. 

The best advice we can give you, however, is to keep your e-bike stored out of sight. If a thief doesn’t know it is there, it won’t attract attention.

Are e-bike anti-theft devices worth it?

Yes, an e-bike anti-theft device is a worthwhile investment, given how much thieves stand to gain from a successful theft. Options include:

• GPS trackers: Fit one inside your e-bike’s frame or battery compartment, and you'll know exactly where your bike is if it's stolen. 
• Alarms: Motion-triggered alarms sound if someone tries to move or tamper with your bike, which is often enough to stop opportunistic thieves before they get anywhere. Simply having an alarm installed can also be a deterrent.
• Wheel and skewer locks: These replace standard clamps with locking versions, so wheels can't be removed without a key.
• Registration: Register your bike's frame number. It makes a stolen bike easier to trace, and a registered bike can be harder to resell if it hasn’t been stripped for parts.

Do you need e-bike theft insurance?

Given the value of most e-bikes, it's well worth considering specialised insurance. Standard home contents insurance often caps cover for bikes kept outside the house, and may not cover a full replacement of a high-spec e-bike.

When comparing e-bike theft insurance policies, look out for: 

• New-for-old replacement, so you're not paid out based on depreciated value.
• Battery cover, as they will degrade over time.
• Cover away from home, particularly important if you ride regularly outside your local area or use your e-bike for commuting.
• Accessory cover, extending protection to helmets, locks, security accessories, and lights.

It's also worth checking whether your e-bike needs insurance for reasons beyond theft, such as when insurance is a legal requirement. Insurance won't stop e-bike theft, but it does mean you're not left out of pocket if it happens.

Keeping your e-bike safe 

Good locks, smart storage, anti-theft measures, and solid insurance cover make your e-bike less of a target, and makes things easier to deal with if the worst does happen.

Need a service, a repair, or a safety check before your next ride? Our bike and e-bike servicing team can help. Swing by your local Kwik Fit centre where our technicians will help give your e-bike some TLC.