I’m trying to use my car less and bike to places where I can. I’ve thought about getting an e-bike to extend the range of places I can bike to, but one things that’s holding me back is what do I do with it while at the store? If it were just my crappy normal bike I wouldn’t really worry too much about someone stealing it, but if I’m gonna spend a few hundred on an e-bike I am nervous about leaving it unattended.
What are your thoughts?
I don’t know where you are located, but here in Germany you can register your bike. It is then identifiable in a database.
Other than that, commonly expensive bikes have GPS or at least can be equipped with it. And of course a good quality lock.
Also don’t think that “the more expensive a bike, the more likely it is to be stolen”. It’s actually the other way around. The more unique your bike is, the less attractive it is for thieves. A black city bike from a local discounter is sold like 10 times a day. Your fancy pants Porsche Pedelec in astral yellow with vibrant orange rims is probably unique within your country. Guess what is the lowest risk and easiest to sell? The 10,000 Dollar bike that can be easily identified or the one that everyone has for 400 bucks?