E-bikes are popular with professional thieves; thefts rise 37% last year

There was a 37% rise in the number of electric bikes and electric cargo bikes reported stolen last year, according to anti-bike theft foundation Safe.

In total, 18,032 e-bikes were stolen and, experts say, professional theft is becoming an increasing problem, particularly in the bigger cities.

Thefts were down in the second quarter of the year, possibly due to the coronavirus pandemic, but rose again in the third when society was opened up again, Jeroen Snijders Blok, chairman of the Safe foundation, said.

More e-bikes were also stolen from lock-ups and garages.

The figures do show that 80% of bikes with a track and trace system are recovered.

In total, experts estimate just 14% of people whose bike is stolen report it to the police – but these are mainly the owners of electric bikes, because they are more likely to be insured.