My anxious mind
Posted by Automatic_Bell5055@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 36 comments
I recently dropped a few thousand dollars on a new e-bike, and because it’s such a big investment, the "theft anxiety" is real.
Even with heavy-duty locks securing it outside the supermarket, I find myself looking back every few steps. While I’m inside picking out groceries, my mind is constantly worrying about the bike. I feel like I’m tethered to it by this invisible, nervous string.(I have this habit of worrying about things that haven't even happened yet)
It’s honestly such a weird feeling. hhhhh
Past-Drawing9414@reddit
What’s the story you tell yourself will happen if it does get stolen?… there could be some insight there as to why the anxious mind is so active💁♂️
DuckAxe0@reddit
"Perfect paranoia is perfect awareness."
FartstheBunny@reddit
I purchased insurance through Velosurance and I pay about $100 a year and my bike is totally covered. Honestly look into it. I read about it on this thread and it seems completely legit and people talk about it a lot saying it’s a wonderful company and a really great policy.
Automatic_Bell5055@reddit (OP)
Great, thank you for the suggestion. I'm going to look into it.
FartstheBunny@reddit
Your home or rental insurance may also cover your bike.
My renters insurance did not cover my bike - they won't cover anything with a motor because they consider it a motorcycle or a scooter (lame!). But some will cover it!
thereia@reddit
Same. Great idea!
youaresoincorrect@reddit
Bro I spent £500 on a £1200 bike with 25 miles basically brand new and I'm the exact same. 500 is a lot for me tbf but yeah it sucks to worry all the time
Even yesterday when I was walking towards the bike rack after leaving the shop and I couldn't see it there while I was walking up and my heart sunk to my chest and I thought this is it my bikes gone and just started running
Fucker fell over cause of high winds and was just laying flat lol never been more relieved
Automatic_Bell5055@reddit (OP)
Glad it was a false alarm! : )
Ok_Lunch16@reddit
What lock did you get? I would also check out the Knog Scout. It has GPS and a motion activated alarm. I have a few high bikes and they all get one
Automatic_Bell5055@reddit (OP)
I’m only using a standard heavy-duty lock right now, but I’ll go check out what you mentioned right away. Thanks for the advice! ; )
gladfelter@reddit
Yeah, and where exactly did you park it? Each location has a different crime profile. And what combo did you choose? Some are more secure than others. Details matter, so be specific.
Kitchen-Ride-5464@reddit
If you don't have one, get a bicycle alarm. They don't cost much and make a warning sound if anybody bumps the bike. If they keep moving the bike it it goes to a very loud, hi-decibel alarm sound. It keeps going until you stop it with the remote, or if you're not around, it will eventually stop and reset if it's not being disturbed any more.
Jamstoyz@reddit
I bring my sur ron into any store I go in to. Even grocery stores. Do people give me weird looks? Sure. But I’m not leaving a bike that I’ve spent well over $10k into it alone outside for someone else to enjoy.
DenM0ther@reddit
Into grocery stores? 😳. And they don’t say anything?
Theft anxiety is a large part of why I haven’t bought a e-bike yet, this would make me feel better.
I need to fingered out what to do with it when I’m at college…
Jamstoyz@reddit
Only had 1 last say something to me. She said it’s dangerous cause of the battery. I said oh. What about your electric grocery carts for handicap people lol. Yeah she just gave me a bad look and I kept walking with my bike.
DenM0ther@reddit
Silly woman. I was thinking more of security guards/staff
Capn_Flags@reddit
I’m a little giggly imagining someone wheeling an emoto into a grocery store, in full pads and helmet, pulling out reusable bags. Idkw it’s killing me rn lol
Jamstoyz@reddit
Do t forget the biker shorts 😂
Capitan_Rich@reddit
We have normalized theft to such an extent that we are the ones who are worried, not the criminals....sad
Jeff_Pagu@reddit
Insure it and/or get a quality u lock and chain lock, and possibly an alarm id one isn’t already built in your ebike.
CautiousPerspective@reddit
Totally understandable. I spent less on my first car. I bought insurance, added an AirTag and bought a 300 dollar bike lock. Still anxious 😆. I think the insurance gives me the better piece of mind because it also includes accidents. This was more about me accidentally losing it on the freeway or someone running into my bike rack vs theft. It is partly true though, bikes all start to look the same. Unless someone really knows bikes they can’t tell a 500 bike from a 4500 bike. My bike is a nice color so I do get a lot of compliments on it. Part of me thinks I should have gotten a more common color but then again, life is short.
Cold-Committee-7719@reddit
Do you have insurance on it? It's not too expensive like 14 usd a month.
chrispark70@reddit
Take the front wheel and battery with you into the supermarket.
I had an e-bike stolen from me in August. I know that fear.
Relative-Display-676@reddit
i take mine inside the supermarkets with me.
Tomj_Oad@reddit
If you look about you can find an insurance policy that offers full replacement value without depreciation. I have Sundays; if you insure it within 60 days of purchase they will do that.
I insured my bike before I left my LBS - it was that easy.
DrFabulous0@reddit
That's what insurance is for. Worst case you're getting an Uber home, but if your bike is nicked you'll get a new one. Never had mine stolen, although it's been attempted, it's the peace of mind that I pay for.
S3ANbz@reddit
Your average person just sees a bike parked there they dont know if its worth a few hundred or a few thousand, unlike cars bikes dont really look much different from cheap vs expensive to the average person I wouldnt worry
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
While we use locks also, we also have these really loud and obnoxious alarms on our ebikes. If someone touches the ebike this 'bzzzt' sound happens. If they try to move it, all hell breaks loose. At the third stage of the alarm, people actually come out of buildings wondering what's happening. I know this because this little kid set off my alarm once, and I was too far away to disarm it before the 'ruckus' began.
You might benefit by this type of alarm. And stupid me, I forgot where I got them, and they don't have a manufacturer or brand name on them anywhere.
And if you're just in a store where your ebike is parked outside, you will DEFINITELY hear the alarm inside the store.
timon_231@reddit
Completely normal feeling. I've seen this with pretty much everyone who buys their first high-ticket e-bike. A few things that helped people I know get past it:
GPS tracker hidden somewhere inside the frame or under the seat. Use two different types of locks - a U-lock through the frame plus a chain through the wheels. Never leave it in the same spot on a regular pattern. Thieves generally scout.
Also worth checking if the store you bought it from offered any kind of accidental or theft protection plan. A lot of e-bike retailers have started offering these. If you're still within 30 days of purchase, some will let you add it still. Though it doesn't help with the anxiety of watching it outside the supermarket, but it does help with the "what if I come back and it's gone" knowing a $3,000 bike isn't a total loss takes the edge off.
the anxiety fades after a few weeks. It's the same thing people feel with a new car in a parking lot. Give it a month.
Big_Method_8645@reddit
https://a.co/d/04UiH11p
Jedski89@reddit
After riding ebikes for 8 years I still get it. Never let your guard down. Your 2 heavy duty locks can still be cut in less than 3 minutes by someone competent with a grinder.
Fun-Willingness-3537@reddit
Definitely not weird. Pretty typical for me to the point that I try to avoid having to leave my bike unattended. Riding around on something that we pride so much, it seems easy to worry about since it is something that has brought me so much happiness and peace. Nothing is better than getting out there and riding.
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
I am lucky because I live in a rural area and here I have no fear that someone will steal my loved ones...👍
ThickWarthog2175@reddit
I felt that way before too, but I'm used to it now.
tricci2730@reddit
Get insurance. Or don't leave it like that. I only use mine for rides it stays in my garage. I realize some people need it for transportation and for errands to them I would suggest insurance and a tracking device.
Simple-Narwhal-8676@reddit
Totally get this. I'd be the same after spending that much. That “checking every 2 seconds” feeling is real. Honestly though, it gets better with time… once you trust your locks/setup a bit more. Maybe add a tracker or alarm for peace of mind; it helps your brain chill a little. You’re not weird at all; just means you care about your stuff