Protect e-bike while camping – tips

Lots of people in a carefree mood, hardly any access restrictions and valuable bikes parked in the open air 24 hours a day: If campsites didn’t already exist, they would be invented by bike thieves.

But what can you do if you don’t want to leave your e-bike at home when camping, but don’t want to lose it either?

Here we present the most effective methods for theft protection.

Why e-bikes are perfect for a camping trip

Whether it’s a quick trip to the bakery or a day trip to the seaside, bikes are the ideal means of transport on a camping holiday. You can leave your car where it is, get some fresh air and protect the environment. What’s more, you can get to hidden bays by bike that are difficult to reach with large vehicles.

The advantage of e-bikes is that, thanks to the electric drive, you can also manage long distances and inclines if your fitness level is not up to scratch and/or you are travelling with the whole family.

Campsites offer ideal conditions for bike thieves

E-bikes are therefore perfect for camping holidays. But because they are valuable, they are increasingly being targeted by bike thieves. Campsites have become popular “hunting grounds” in recent years. Thieves often disguise themselves as campsite visitors and benefit from the fact that the site is secured by a wire mesh fence. They load their loot directly onto a van and then make off.

Whether an e-bike is lost for good in this case depends on one thing in particular, which we will come back to later.

How to protect your electric bike from theft when camping

Use the facilities on site

Manche Campingplätze besitzen absperrbare Fahrradräume bzw. -garagen und Videoüberwachung. Halte nach solchen Angeboten Ausschau. Allerdings ist es nicht immer möglich, die Routenplanung an diesem Kriterium auszurichten. Dazu kommt, dass professionelle Fahrraddiebe auch abgeschlossene Räume entern. Schließlich wartet hier fette Beute.

Some campsites have lockable bike rooms or garages and video surveillance. Look out for such facilities. However, it is not always possible to plan your route according to this criterion. What’s more, professional bike thieves also enter locked rooms. After all, there is a lot of loot waiting here.

Secure your e-bike with locks

Did you previously believe that the screws on the bike rack were enough to prevent theft? Then we have to disappoint you. An otherwise unsecured e-bike on the bike rack is a gift for bike thieves. The situation is different if you also use a bike lock and follow the tips below:

• Did we write “one lock”? Of course we meant at least two. The more, the greater the challenge for bike thieves. This doesn’t just apply to e-bikes at the campsite.
• Invest money in really good locks, preferably sturdy U-locks or folding locks. A lock with an alarm system can provide even more security. However, we recommend an alarm system with adjustable sensitivity. Otherwise you run the risk of your neighbours at the campsite standing upright in bed every time there’s a gust of wind.
• Also secure the rear rack to prevent criminals from removing the entire structure and packing it onto a van.
• If you don’t have your e-bike on the rear rack, secure it with locks to fixed objects, such as a tree or post.
• Also protect valuable components such as pedals, wheels and saddle with a component lock.

Store e-bikes in the motorhome at night

The greatest risk of thieves breaking into a campsite and stealing bikes is at night. It can therefore make sense to park e-bikes in the camper overnight. This way, they are invisible to strangers. In addition, hardly any bike thieves would take the risk of breaking into a camper van with people inside to steal an e-bike.

This variant has only one major disadvantage. E-bikes make it uncomfortable in the camper. Depending on the number of bikes and the size of the campervan, this tactic may not even be an option. This also applies if you are travelling with a minibus and tent.

Use a GPS tracker

Unfortunately, electric bikes are not one hundred per cent protected against thieves, even with several sturdy locks.

For maximum security, you also need a good GPS tracker that you can attach to your e-bike. With the BikeTrax GPS tracker from PowUnity, you benefit from the following advantages when camping or anywhere else:

• As soon as a thief tampers with your bike, you will receive a notification on your smartphone. You can then intervene yourself in good time or warn someone – for example, the security at your campsite.
• If you are unable to prevent the theft, you can track the location of the stolen e-bike in real time with the PowUnity app and pass it on to the police.

Take a close look at insurance policies

Anyone who enjoys camping is well advised to take out contents insurance. This insures items in the camper against theft, storm and water damage. Your normal household contents insurance does not do this.

But be careful: sports equipment such as e-bikes are often excluded or only insured if they are in the vehicle, not on the vehicle or in front of it. You may therefore need additional e-bike insurance.

What to do if your e-bike is stolen?

Lock picked, e-bike gone, what now?

In this case, there are three main things to do:

1. Report the theft to the police
2. Report the theft to the insurance company
3. Initiate your own search activities

You can use the PowUnity app to send a digital theft report to the police and the insurance company. You can also send your completed bike pass. This makes it easier for the police to identify your e-bike. After all, with Tracker, there is an excellent chance that your bike will soon be recovered.

Final tip: theft protection is also important when travelling

The risk of theft is not only present at campsites, but also on the way there. It happens time and again that bikes are stolen from the rear rack while the owners are eating in a restaurant.

Therefore, make sure you secure your bike with high-quality bike locks and GPS trackers during your next camping trip.

Summary: the bolts on the rear carrier are not enough

There are many good reasons to take an e-bike camping with you. You don’t have to do without it because you’re afraid of theft.

However, we strongly advise you to secure your e-bike adequately on the way and on site. Don’t rely on securing it to the pannier rack or a flimsy frame lock. Lock your pedelec with several high-quality locks and use a good GPS tracker. It can also be useful to take batteries with you into the camper or tent and secure components separately. This way you can enjoy your holiday in a relaxed manner.