ELECTRIC SCOOTER? HOW TO PREVENT THEFT

The advantages of an electric scooter include its compactness and transportability, which allow it to be taken inside various public and private buildings without taking up too much space, avoiding the classic stress of parking and the fear of theft. However, there are some circumstances in which, at least for now, it is not possible to take the scooter with you.

That’s why we’ve decided to carry out some tests for you. In fact, despite the fact that many types of anti-theft devices designed for bicycles, mopeds and motorbikes can be found on the market, there are currently no solutions specifically designed for electric scooters.

So in this series of articles we will illustrate all the options we have found to be useful to leave the scooter outdoors, to avoid as much as possible unpleasant surprises. 

#1: How do you secure a scooter?

The two best options are:

A. Secure the spokes of the rear wheel to a pole or bike rack.

B. Secure the frame between the front wheel and the deck to a pole or bike rack.

Moreover, most of the guidelines for securing bikes also remain valid for scooters and can be adapted in this way:

1. Secure the wheel or lower triangular frame to a fixed point.

2. Avoid leaving too much free space between the anti-theft device and the fixing point, which is a space where thieves could introduce burglary tools such as shears or cutters.

3. Avoid as far as possible that the anti-theft device touches the ground (to prevent thieves from trying to cut it using the leverage effect, placing the body weight on one arm of the cutter whilst the other arm touches the ground).

#2: Which anti-theft devices are best suited to scooters? 

Since there is no specific anti-theft device designed to secure scooters, all we can do is select, among all the types of anti-theft devices available on the market, those that can truly protect an electric scooter, without incompatibilities which leave the scooter exposed to theft attempts. 

The 2 items below proved to be the most effective during our tests:

  • U-LOCKS

U-locks represent a valid and secure solution for the protection of electric scooters. In addition to being practical and resistant, these anti-theft devices are also very robust, since they are designed to secure mopeds and, with the versions with thicker shackles, also motorbikes.

Electric Scooter and U-lock

Practical, fast and secure. We suggest the use of this anti-theft device to secure the lower triangular frame of the scooter to a pole or a bike rack. In fact, in the case of the Viro U-lock with hardened steel shackle with 19 mm square section (Item 184.145 Weight 1450 gr), the gap of the shackle (i.e. the empty space between the body and shackle) is sufficient to comfortably secure the pole and frame, leaving a reduced free space. The anti-theft device is also raised off the ground and can be placed either on the deck of the scooter or let fall on one side. 

Electric scooter frame secured  with the Viro U-lock.
Frame between the front wheel and the deck of the electric scooter secured to a pole with the Viro 19 mm square section U-lock.
  • PADLOCK WITH CHAIN

The timeless padlock with chain remains the most versatile type of anti-theft device for securing scooters and bikes, in the latter case, both in the traditional and electric version.  



Electric Scooter and Chain

In the case of the electric scooter, by using a chain we no longer have to worry about the thickness of the fixing point, as all we need to do is use one which allows us to respect the 3 main parameters:


1. Secure wheel or triangular frame lower to a fixed point;


2. Avoid leaving too much free space;


3. Do not let the chain rest on the ground.



Versatile, handy and secure. In our case it was possible to wrap the 60 cm chain of the Viro “Morso” (Item 1.4232 Weight 710 gr) completely around the frame, both in the wheel-pole option and in the triangular lower frame-pole option, respecting all the parameters listed above.  

Electric scooter frame secured  with Viro Morso with chain.
Frame between the front wheel and the deck of the electric scooter secured to a pole with Viro Morso with chain (60 cm).
Electric scooter Wheel secured with Viro Morso with chain .
Spokes of the rear wheel of the electric scooter secured to a pole with Viro Morso with chain (60 cm).

#3: Ultimately, which is better – padlock and chain or U-lock?

The choice is subjective and depends on the particular type of use. Without doubt, with the padlock and chain we have the greatest versatility. Moreover, since the shackle of the U-lock is by its very nature rigid and not as versatile as a chain, it is best to firstly consider the compatibility with your scooter, checking the measurements of the gap.

#4: Why are no cables, twisted cables or extendable cables included in the list?

It is essential for a successful anti-theft device to avoid leaving any free gaps where burglary tools can be introduced, such as shears or pincers which would allow the burglar to cut the device and take the scooter away. 



Whilst for the bicycles, the use of these anti-theft devices allows you to embrace the pole, wheel and frame at the same time, without leaving too much space between the anti-theft device and the item to be protected, in the case of the scooter, since the size of the frame is much smaller, the free space may be excessive. 


Moreover, as far as the ease of use on scooters is concerned, this type of anti-theft device has proved to be less manageable than the U-lock and the padlock with chain.

Find out more about:

>> Viro Morso with Chain

>> Viro U-Lock

One thought on “ELECTRIC SCOOTER? HOW TO PREVENT THEFT

  1. John Peters

    Avoid leaving your electric scooter parked in a remote location where thieves may easily pick the lock on it or get around it.

    Reply

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