In 2021, the Dutch reported more to the police because their e-bike was stolen. This is stated by the Stichting Aanpak Fiets- en E-bike theft (SAFE) based on police figures. People, on the other hand, report less and less about theft of ordinary bicycles, presumably because they no longer find it worthwhile to inform the police.

Last year, the National Police registered 22.593 reports of a stolen e-bike. That is a quarter more than in 2020 and three quarters more than in 2019. In most cases, the electric bicycles were taken on the street. About 1900 times, thieves broke into or even used violence to get their hands on an electric two-wheeler.

People went to the police 26.365 times to report that their regular bicycle had been stolen, a 45 percent decrease in one year. “It seems more likely that fewer and fewer people are reporting ordinary bicycle theft”, say the SAFE researchers about whether fewer bicycles are actually being stolen. They suspect that the actual number of bicycle thefts is at least eight or nine times higher.

Insured

According to the researchers, there is a financial reason that owners of e-bikes do go to the police more often to file a report. The electric bicycles are usually insured. Victims of theft must report the loss to the insurer in order to receive compensation for the damage.

A SAFE spokesperson recommends that electric bicycles be properly secured, preferably with certified locks. “Preferably store the bicycle under lock and key, also at home”, he adds. “Especially if you live in a city center.” It also helps to equip an electric bicycle with a remote location tracking device.

If we look at the four largest cities, it is striking that the number of reported stolen e-bikes is increasing the fastest in Utrecht. The police received more than two-thirds more reports. Increases of 10 percent or more were also seen in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague. Of the ten major cities, only Nijmegen showed a decrease.

Also read: Electric charging and also paid parking