How to lock an electric bike: the frame, the wheels and the battery

Why an electric bike needs more than a bike lock

Three things make an electric bike a bigger target than a regular bicycle. It is worth more, so a thief gets more for it. Its battery and display can often be taken without the bike. And many models are too heavy to carry inside, so they spend more time locked outside.

Our guide to protecting an electric scooter from theft covers the basic habits, such as parking in busy places and keeping records. This guide adds what is different about an electric bike: the wheels, the battery and the weight.

The lock-up, step by step

• Pick a fixed object. A bike rack bolted into the ground is best. Check that a signpost cannot be lifted out and that the lock cannot slide off the top.
• Lock the frame and rear wheel together. Run the U-lock or chain through the rear triangle of the frame and the rear rim, then around the rack. On a hub-drive bike the rear wheel holds the motor, so it is worth protecting.
• Add a second lock for the front wheel. Loop a cable through the front wheel and back to the main lock, or use a second U-lock or chain.
• Fill the gap. Choose a U-lock that leaves little space inside once it is closed, so a bar or jack cannot fit.
• Keep the lock off the ground and the keyhole facing down, where it is harder to attack.
• Take the extras. Remove the battery if it comes out, plus any removable display, lights and bags.

Lock it where local rules allow, and leave room for people walking, wheelchairs and doorways.

Which locks to use, and which we carry

Spend on the main lock. A hardened U-lock or a heavy chain takes the most effort to defeat, and a folding lock is a good middle ground. Keep cable locks for the second job: the front wheel or a seat.

• DriveTron Lock Set: a U-lock with a 17 mm alloy steel shackle plus a 120 cm steel cable, so one set covers the frame and both wheels. It opens from either end and comes with 2 keys and a mounting bracket.
• NANROBOT Electric Scooter Chain Lock: a high-strength steel chain with a keyed lock and a silicone sleeve that protects the frame.
• NAVEE Chain Lock: a sleeved steel chain with a 5-digit combination lock, so there is no key to lose.
• iENYRID Fingerprint Cable Lock: a cable lock for electric scooters and electric bikes that opens with a fingerprint or the TTLock app.
• Riding’times E-Bike Cable Lock and Hiboy 3.2 ft Combination Cable Lock: steel cable locks with combination codes and frame brackets. Use them as a second lock.

See every lock, mirror and bag in our accessories collection, and our electric bike accessories guide for what else is worth adding.

Lock the battery, or take it with you

A removable battery can be the most valuable part to steal. Many frame batteries lock into place with a key. Always turn the key and take it out before you walk away, and take the battery itself if you will be gone a while.

Some models make this easy. The Gyroor EB262 and Gyroor EB263 list a removable battery in the frame, and the Riding’times GT33 lists a removable battery and is ready for a second one.

Carry the battery with care, keep it dry and charge it only with the supplied charger, following the maker’s manual. Our sibling guide on electric bike battery care covers storage and charging habits.

Built-in tracking and app locks

Several electric bikes in our catalog list their own tracking or unlock features. They help you find the bike or stop someone riding it, but a thief can still carry or lift it, so use them alongside a real lock.

• Segway: the Myon, Xafari and Xyber list GPS and Apple Find My, and the MUXI and MUXI Pro list Apple Find My. Segway also lists AirLock on these models.
• AOTOS: the FLUX X26 lists keyless unlock and app support. The X26 Pro adds 4G GPS tracking and a physical lock.
• NAVEE: the KG05 lists NFC, passcode and Bluetooth unlock.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

No tracking on your bike? A small Bluetooth tag or GPS tracker hidden inside the frame, under the saddle or in a bag works too. Check how the tracker is powered and charged before you rely on it.

At home, at work and overnight

Overnight outside is where most bikes are lost. Keep the bike inside your home if you can, not in a shared hallway or lobby. If it must live in a garage or shed, lock it to a ground or wall anchor and keep the door locked.

At work, ask if there is a locked bike room or a corner where it can stand. A folding model makes this much easier; the Gyroor C33 folds at the frame and handlebar stem. Short on space at home? Our guide to electric scooter storage in an apartment has ideas that work for bikes too.

Keep records now

• Photograph the bike from both sides, plus any marks, stickers or accessories that make it recognizable.
• Write down the frame number. It is often stamped under the bottom bracket, where the pedal cranks meet the frame; check your manual if you cannot find it.
• Keep your order confirmation with the model and purchase date.
• Register the bike with the maker or its app if it offers that.

Warranty covers defects, not theft. For cover against theft, check your renters or homeowners policy or a specialist policy; our electric scooter insurance guide explains the questions to ask. Choosing a bike that fits you before you choose a lock? See our electric bike size chart.

Browse our electric bikes for sale. Orders ship free to the lower 48 states, and you can pay over time with Pay in 4 at 0% APR on orders up to $2,000, or monthly payments with Affirm, subject to approval.

Questions riders ask