Thieves targeting electric bicycle batteries

Thieves in Belgium are increasingly targeting the batteries on electric bicycles, which are generally easier to steal than the bike itself and can be worth between €500 and €1,100.

Specialist retailers confirm that more customers are coming into their shops to buy a new battery or even ask for an insurance quote.

Although there are no specific statistics for the theft of batteries, almost 100,000 bicycles are stolen in Belgium each year.

Retailers and cyclists' associations, which collect numerous testimonies from victims, say battery theft is rising.

One such victim, Sadrine, told RTBF that she routinely removes her battery after parking the bike and keeps it with her to prevent theft. But on one particular day when Sandrine parked in a safe neighbourhood to run an errand, her hands were full.

“It was 17.00 in a busy public place,” Sandrine told RTBF.

“I had double-locked my bike to a bike rack. I was carrying a lot of stuff and just needed to run a quick errand. That's why I left my battery on my bike for the first time.

"When I came back, my bike wouldn't start. I couldn't understand why. After trying several times, I finally opened the protective cover and realised that the battery was gone."

Sandrine believed it was the work of someone accustomed to this type of theft.

“The battery had been neatly removed,” she said. “The thief had even taken the trouble to close the cover properly. It was certainly someone who was used to stealing this type of battery. I had locked my battery with a security key.”

Thieves even manage to remove the battery from certain models without causing any damage, and specialist retailers say this phenomenon is on the rise.

“For several weeks now, we have seen a significant increase in battery thefts,” said Martin Balteau, sales manager for an electric bike retailer.

“In our shop alone, we sometimes count up to a dozen victims per week. These are customers who need a quote for insurance or who are enquiring about the price of a new battery.”

If the battery is not fully integrated into the bike frame, Balteau advises removing it systematically as a first step. Though a hassle because of the weight, this habit not only protects against battery theft, but also makes the electric bike less attractive to thieves.

For detachable batteries with a handle, Balteau recommends removing it and attaching it to the bike with a secure lock. “This will be more time-consuming and tedious for the thief,” he added.

Balteau said that more retailers are calling on manufacturers to take action because, even when secured, batteries are still being stolen.

“We’re in contact with bicycle manufacturers and manufacturers of locks designed to protect batteries to pass on this information and ask them to review their products,” Balteau said.

“Despite security locks, thieves have developed techniques that allow them to steal the battery without damaging the mount. They force the lock without leaving any traces.

"Before, it was often a cruder job. You could see traces of forced entry with a crowbar or something like that. Now, with some models, they can even remove the battery without damaging the bike."

Cycling associations are also proposing several small measures to curb rampant battery theft, such as using cable ties to secure the battery, painting it or engraving your name on it to make it identifiable.

Avello - formerly Gracq - confirmed that it had receiving an increasing number of reports of battery thefts.

“Unfortunately, there are no statistics because they are not recorded as such by the police – only the number of stolen bicycles is recorded, but not yet the number of batteries,” said director Laurence Lewalle.

Associations put forward a number of proposals to the federal government last week to help tackle battery theft.

“The first is to be able to register the battery's serial number on the MyBike platform – this will make it possible to report the theft of the battery, and people who want to buy a second-hand battery will be able to find out whether it has been stolen or not,” said Lewalle, adding that not all batteries currently have a serial number, but this will be mandatory from 2029.

“We have also asked for the possibility to report the theft of a battery online, as is the case for bicycles. This would not only make it easier for victims to take action, but also provide statistics. Another point is to have a police force dedicated to bicycle theft that is equipped with the means to be effective.”

More bicycle and battery manufacturers are also trying to offer solutions, including a paid app that allows you to lock your connected battery. While it will not help you recover it if it is stolen, it will make it unusable on another bicycle.