This guide covers how to lock an electric scooter effectively, exploring various locks, their usage, and additional tips and steps to prevent theft.
As electric scooter usage increases, understanding how to secure your scooter is critical for peace of mind in the face of growing theft incidents. Over the years, I’ve learned a few useful tips for locking your scooter, and I’ve almost never had any problems (and I’ve even locked it in some risky areas!). Let’s see what you need to know.
How do you lock an electric scooter?
To lock your electric scooter, choose a well-lit area with surveillance and foot traffic, and locate an immovable object like a fence, lamp post, or bike rack. Position your scooter optimally and secure it by locking the attachment point to the immovable object. Ensure the lock is secure by giving it a few tugs.
Where to lock an electric scooter?
I recommend locking your electric scooter in one of the following places:
- Check for designated electric scooter parking with surveillance at the facility you’re visiting to reduce the risk of electric scooter theft.
- If there’s no designated parking, use available bike racks to lock your electric scooter with a strong scooter lock, ensuring it’s securely anchored to the ground.
- When unable to find parking, I lock my scooter to a grounded object like a lamppost or railing in a well-lit, visible area. This deters thieves and increases the likelihood of them getting caught.
My Xiaomi M365 Pro is portable, so if I can’t find suitable parking, I carry it inside.
However, not all electric scooters are easily portable, and some places prohibit bringing them indoors.
Can you lock a scooter to a bike rack?
You can easily lock your electric scooter to a bike rack. Bike racks are designed for bikes, but still work well for scooters due to their similar frame structure.
Use a strong scooter lock and ensure the chosen bike rack can accommodate your scooter.
How to lock an electric scooter to a bike rack?
To lock an electric scooter to a bike rack or any other immovable object, follow these steps:
Find a safe areaimportance: criticaldifficulty: normalFind a safe place to park your electric scooter. Choose well-lit areas with surveillance cameras and high foot traffic to deter thieves seeking to avoid attention.
Choose a suitable bike rack or immovable objectimportance: criticaldifficulty: easyFind a sturdy bike rack or immovable object to anchor your electric scooter. Ensure the rack is wide enough and robust to prevent theft by cutting through the lock. In case of an anchored object, make sure locking your electric scooter to it will not breach any local laws or regulations.
Correctly position your electric scooterimportance: lowdifficulty: easyConsider others and park your electric scooter parallel to the bike rack without blocking it for other riders. Ensure easy access to attachment points like handlebars, stem, or frame.
Lock the scooter to the bike rackimportance: criticaldifficulty: normalAlign the attachment points of the scooter and bike rack, leaving enough clearance space to maneuver in the lock. Use a high-quality lock to hold the scooter to the bike rack and activate it by its specific mechanism, like a combination lock or a key.
Double-check the lockimportance: criticaldifficulty: easyAfter locking the electric scooter to the bike rack, pull on the lock to double-check that it is securely fastened and won’t easily disengage.
Use two locks (for expensive scooters)importance: lowdifficulty: difficultBoost your electric scooter’s security by using a second lock, different from the first one. Thieves are less likely to overcome two different locks of varying types. This is especially advisable for pricier scooters often targeted by experienced thieves.
Can electric scooters be left outside?
I strongly discourage leaving your electric scooter unattended outside for an extended period. Doing so is not illegal, but the risk of theft or damage is high, even with a lock.
One time I parked mine outside a supermarket, and though it wasn’t stolen, I found key marks on the stem later.
Leaving your electric scooter outside exposes it to adverse weather conditions, potentially damaging the battery’s performance and reducing its lifespan, especially in extreme heat or cold.
Are electric scooters easy to steal?
Electric scooters can be easy targets for thieves because of how compact and lightweight they are.
Most electric scooters don’t come with anti-theft mechanisms such as integrated locks, alarms, or apps for locking them, which makes stealing them a lot easier.
Thieves can get a good price by reselling stolen electric scooters or dismantling them and selling their parts as replacements.
If not secured right, thieves can easily steal your electric scooter and then quickly resell them to avoid being caught.
How do I keep my electric scooter from being stolen?
Here are some ways to protect your electric scooter from theft.
Store the scooter at homeimportance: criticaldifficulty: easyStore your electric scooter inside your home because it is harder for thieves to access it. Sheds or garages are less secure.
Park in well-lit and visible areasimportance: criticaldifficulty: easyPark your electric scooter in well-lit areas with surveillance and high foot traffic to deter thieves.
Use robust locksimportance: criticaldifficulty: normalUse heavy-duty locks to deter thieves, visually discouraging quick targets. These locks require substantial effort to break.
Install anti-theft alarmsimportance: criticaldifficulty: difficultChoose alarms that detect tampering, sound loudly, and often make thieves flee. Opt for phone-integrated alarms for outdoor storage.
Remove valuable accessoriesimportance: lowdifficulty: easyRemove any valuable scooter accessories or electronic devices attached to it before parking it in public.
Avoid parking in risky areasimportance: criticaldifficulty: normalIn high-theft areas, avoid taking your electric scooter, or carry it with you.
GPS trackingimportance: criticaldifficulty: easyInstall a GPS tracker in your electric scooter for real-time location monitoring. This aids in locating and recovering your stolen scooter
Store the scooter at home
The safest place to store your electric scooter and prevent theft is inside your home. Sheds and garages are the next best thing.
Park in well-lit and visible areas
Park your electric scooter in well-lit areas with surveillance cameras and a steady flow of people to deter thieves.
Thieves avoid well-lit and populated areas to operate undetected, and the chances of them getting caught increase significantly.
Use robust locks
Use heavy-duty locks to deter thieves effectively. They serve as visual deterrents, discouraging potential thieves who prefer quick and easy targets.
Robust scooter locks require a lot of physical effort to break, making them unattractive compared to weak locks. Invest in a high-quality, durable lock.
Modern locks resist various theft techniques and tools like cutting, picking, and prying, providing effective protection for your electric scooter.
Install anti-theft alarms
You should consuder securing your electric scooter with anti-theft alarms. These alarms detect tampering and activate a loud alarm, alerting you and nearby people, and often prompting thieves to give up and flee.
For outdoor storage in a garage or shed, use alarms with phone integration.
Some alarms can notify you through an app, providing an extra layer of protection, especially when you’re unable to reach your electric scooter quickly.
In such situations, ask a neighbor to check your scooter when you receive a notification or inform authorities if you suspect a robbery at your house.
Remove valuable accessories
Another way you can prevent electric scooter theft is by reducing the incentive for theft. Remove any valuable scooter accessories or electronic devices attached to it before parking it in public. If your scooter has a removable battery, remove that as well.
Carry an e-scooter cover to deter thieves. While it won’t physically prevent theft, it can make thieves hesitate. Why bother uncovering and stealing an electric scooter when there are easier, visible targets?
Avoid parking in risky areas
In high-theft areas, avoid taking your electric scooter, or carry it with you.
Even with a lock, experienced thieves may know how to defeat it. If parking is necessary, use multiple locks, ensure an anti-theft alarm, and stay vigilant.
Regularly check the scooter’s GPS location for added security.
GPS tracking
For added security, consider this method in case your electric scooter is stolen and you need a backup plan.
One of the first things you should do if your electric scooter gets stolen is track it.
Install a GPS tracker in your electric scooter for real-time location monitoring. This aids in locating and recovering your stolen scooter, and some anti-theft alarms include built-in GPS tracking.
Alternatively, you can use a separate device like an Apple AirTag.
Here’s a video if you want to know more about how to use the device on your electric scooter.
Types of electric scooter locks and how to use them
Here are some common types of locks you can use to secure your electric scooter:
Chain lockssecurity: strongease of use: regularAn electric scooter chain lock, comprising a chain and padlock, wraps around the wheel to secure the scooter, preventing movement and ensuring robust protection.
Cuff lockssecurity: strongease of use: easyCuff locks offer a compact and versatile locking solution, resembling handcuffs for secure immobilization. Their lightweight design and ease of use make them a convenient choice for scooter security.
U-lockssecurity: strongease of use: regularThe Electric scooter U-Lock is crafted from hardened steel, is robust and reliable. The U-lock is a great choice for securing your e-scooter. While slightly heavy, it’s manageable with a backpack.
Wearable chain lockssecurity: strongease of use: easyWearable chain locks provide discreet and portable security, integrating into accessories like belts or bracelets for convenient anti-theft measures for your electric scooter.
Folding lockssecurity: mediumease of use: easyThis portable electric scooter lock easily fits in pockets. It’s made of connected steel plates, offering various locking options and is lighter than chain locks.
Cable lockssecurity: lowease of use: easyElectric scooter cable locks are lightweight, portable, and feature a 5-digit combination for security. They are suitable for low-crime areas. Available with key or combination locks, similar to chain locks.
Disc lockssecurity: lowease of use: easyAn electric scooter disc lock secures wheels against bolt cutters but doesn’t prevent lifting. Use it with U-Locks or chain locks, not as the main security lock.
Ring lockssecurity: lowease of use: easyElectric scooter ring locks are made of steel, immobilize the wheels, similar to disc locks. They don’t prevent carrying the scooter. The key is only needed for unlocking, not locking.
Grip lockssecurity: lowease of use: easyGrip locks for electric scooters, resembling motorcycle-style locks, clamp onto the scooter’s throttle, immobilizing. They are compact and easy to use.
Smart locks / app lockssecurity: mediumease of use: easyApp locks provide a tech-savvy security solution, allowing users to lock and unlock their scooters using a mobile app. With features like GPS tracking and remote control, these locks offer enhanced convenience and peace of mind
Here is a video of Tim showing how to lock up your scooter with some different types of locks.
Best electric scooter locks
These are the best electric scooter locks I’ve come across:
- Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit 14 mm Chain & New York 15mm Disc Lock
- Master Lock Street Cuff Locks
- Kryptonite Evolution 1016 Mini 10mm Chain Bicycle Lock
- Kryptonite Keeper 712 7mm Chain Combo Bicycle Lock
- Kryptonite New York LS Heavy Duty Bicycle U-Lock
- ABUS Bordo Granit XPlus 6500
See my complete guide on the best electric scooter locks for the most convenient prices and ways to buy them.
