Electric scooters are gaining popularity due to their convenience and affordability, but as with anything new & desirable, the amount of scooters that are stolen is proportionally increasing as well. The thought of leaving your scooter unattended and knowing that you have to park your scooter outside probably leaves you with some fear that it’ll get stolen, especially if you’ll be gone for a while. It's safe to say that you should be securing your scooter, but nothing is off-limits for thieves, including your handy ride.
Some electric scooters can be carried with ease and kept under your desk for safekeeping. But, the more powerful ones can’t be handled the same as they are heavier and bulkier. So, is this the time to just rely on luck and hope you won’t fall victim to theft? Nope. Everyone that has had their scooter stolen was, at one point, someone that said “it probably won’t happen to me.”
Luckily, there are ways to guard your scooter so you won’t be vulnerable to wandering hands. Of course, no defence is invincible, but the following precautions will cut down on risk & give you a better sense of security.
Tips To Keep Your Scooter Safe
Choose The Right Lock
Upon buying an electric scooter, make sure to buy a lock that suits the scooter. It’s a great investment to decrease the chance of theft. Look for any locking points which you can use to secure your ride.
Locking points are gaps or holes in your scooter through which a lock can pass. Choosing what fits within those gaps will make it easier for you to install the lock whenever you need to or are in a hurry.
Aside from getting the right fit, you should choose something of the highest quality to avoid those thieves’ bolt cutters. The more difficult the lock is to destroy, the safer your kicks will be.
There are different types of locks to protect your e-scooter, and each has its strengths to keep it safe from dangerous minds.
- U-lock - It’s a solid metal lock made of hardened steel with a removable bar. It comes in different sizes to fit whichever e-scooter model you have and is considered reliable. Fasten the lock around the scooter’s stem and clasp it to a solid fixture. Be wary of one thing, however. If your scooter has foldable or collapsible handlebars, thieves may still be able to work the scooter out of the lock.
- Chain Lock - They are inter-connected links made of steel covered by plastic or cloth to prevent abrasions on both the lock itself and the e-scooter. Toughness makes it stand out as thieves won’t be able to cut them easily. A great example of this is the ETook Chain Lock.
- Cable Lock - Made from a steel cable, this lock is known for its light weight and plastic coating, which helps in protecting the scooter from getting scratched by the steel. It’s either a combination lock or a keyed lock. The Segway Lock is a fantastic example of cable locks.
- Disc Brake Lock - This lock secures the brake calliper of the scooter, preventing the wheels from turning. It makes it harder for thieves to roll away with your scooter.
- Folding Lock - It’s lightweight and compact but provides sturdy protection. It’s made out of foldable steel and functions as a cable or chain but is stronger. A great example is the ETook Premium Lock which can fend off even the toughest equipment like drills and saws.
Find The Right Parking Spot
If you can’t take your scooter inside or keep it under your desk, you have to find a safe space to park it. However, you can’t just park anywhere so you must find the right spot to park your ride.
Look for a vicinity with many bystanders so that even if you can’t keep an eye out for quite some time, thieves won’t be so smug as to steal with many onlookers.
As much as you can, avoid parking in dark or blind spots because those are hotspots for thieves due to a lack of witnesses. One more tip would be to lock up your scooter in an area with cameras so that if it does get stolen, it is easier to catch the thief.
Make sure it’s locked into a sturdy fixture that thieves can’t easily tamper, and make sure that the fixture is securely attached to the ground. Look for a steel post, bike rack, or stairs railing. Those will keep the thieves thinking twice about stealing your scooter.
Take It Inside
If you live in an urban area, chances are thefts are seen as normal occurrences. Ideally, you should keep your scooter inside a garage, and if not, keep it inside your apartment. Electric rides are portable enough to be stored in your home, and even the most powerful ones don’t take up that much space.
Keeping it inside a garage can still pose a problem, so it's best to lock it as thieves can still break-in. If you’re living in a complex and you don’t want to bring it inside, look for the most secure vicinity in the compound to keep your ride safely stored.
Time Check
To prevent your scooter from being stolen, don't leave it unattended for long periods. Some bad apples like to observe, especially if they think it’s worth a lot, and once they recognise how long you leave your scooter alone, they’ll know when to put their plans into motion.
Leaving your scooter unguarded for hours makes you vulnerable to theft, and bringing it with you is still the safest option. However, you should secure your ride with the most durable lock or park it within your range of visibility. For instance, if you’re staying at a cafe, park your scooter where you see it.
Anti-Theft Devices
Anti-theft devices are worthy investments for some peace of mind. They are practical prevention tools to scare away bad guys and safeguard your electric scooter. You don’t want those hundreds of dollars just speeding away into the distance.
Alarms
Some locks already come with an alarm, but you can always purchase a standalone one. They’re amazing to scare off any thief instantly and bring attention to what they’re doing. You just have to attach the soundbox to your scooter, and one wrong move while you’re away, it’ll immediately alert you and those near your scooter.
GPS Tracking Device
The last remedy in your arsenal is having a GPS tracking device attached stealthily to your e-scooter. Some burglars are just too motivated, so having a GPS is a good idea in case your scooter gets stolen.
A piece of advice though, share your tracking data with the police instead of chasing down the thief by yourself. It’s a lot safer for them to be the ones to pursue and retrieve your ride.
Safety Accessories
Now that we’ve gone over some tips to lessen your vulnerability to theft, it’s time to list specific accessories to ensure your safety and scooter. Prevent heartbreak by paying attention to these devices.
Segway Ninebot Scooter Lock
A look at the Segway Ninebot Scooter lock
Ensure your electric scooter is safe with the Segway Ninebot Scooter Lock made from robust braided steel, known for its sturdiness and flexibility. An exciting feature of this lock is its password combination because it got away from the 4-digit code norm and upped the standard by providing a 5-digit combo. That’s more than 10,000 lock combinations!
Moreover, it’s coated with smooth PVC that protects your scooter from scratches. Plus, you can easily attach it to your ride as it has a self-coiling design. It also has a handlebar attachment to make it more convenient for you. Indeed, this is a tough lock to secure your scooter.
ETook Heavy Duty Chain Lock
A full look at the ETook Heavy Duty Chain Lock
Get the ultimate protection for your scooter with the ETook Heavy Duty Chain Lock. It has the highest protection rating amongst ETook locks of 6 out of 6. It’s constructed from a heat-treated, hardened 8mm steel chain, making it almost impossible to break.
On top of that, its lock cylinder is integrated with Swiss technology and an anti-drill cap making it virtually impossible to drill by robbers. And thanks to its thick waterproof Oxford fabric and rubber sleeve, there’s an added layer of extreme protection.
ETook Premium Electric Scooter Lock
The ETook Premium Electric Scooter Lock in Green
Another high-grade scooter lock to remove your worries is the ETook Premium Electric Scooter Lock. One look and it’s already very distinguishable with its innovative and unique design.
Made from premium steel alloy, this lock is sawing-resistant and thump-resistant, which helps secure your scooter even more. Plus, it can withstand a 1.5-ton pulling force to make life difficult for those heartless criminals.
It’s easy to attach to different components of your scooter such as the wheel or handlebars. Not only that, but it also comes with an anti-drilling cap, that’s also waterproof and dustproof, making it nearly impossible to drill and steal.
Even masterful pick lockers will have a hard time stealing your ride since this lock’s key teeth is super thin. Also, don’t worry about those pesky bolt cutters because this ETook lock has an anti-bolt cutter and anti-drilling technology. Aside from keeping your scooter safe, it offers fun colours such as Blue and Green.
Summary
Sometimes it’s unavoidable to leave your electric scooter outside, especially if it’s a bulky one. One solution to keep you at ease is to buy a scooter lock or any anti-theft device to keep your ride secured. Another thing you can do to avoid getting it stolen is to NOT leave it unattended for long periods of time. If you have no choice, make sure you leave your e-scooter in a well-lit and well-populated area. As such, you will have peace of mind whether you’re meeting up with a friend in a cafe or going into the office.