Bicycle and e-mobility theft rates rise in Germany and Austria

Theft of bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters remains a significant issue in Germany and Austria. In Germany, approximately 264,000 bicycles were reported stolen in 2023. In Austria, a survey by the KFV (Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit) revealed that nearly one in four households has been affected by the theft of a bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter within the last five years.

Security testing highlights the vulnerability of common locks. Standard steel cable locks can be severed with bolt cutters in as little as 10 to 30 seconds. To combat this, product tests have evaluated various heavy-duty chain locks. The Hiplok Gold was identified as a top performer for stability, while the Nean chain combination lock was noted as a budget-friendly option providing moderate resistance.

Experts note a low reporting rate among victims in Austria, with one-third of those affected failing to file police reports, often due to low expectations of recovering the stolen property. The KFV recommends using electronic tracking for e-scooters and encourages victims to report all thefts to the police to assist in crime prevention.