My bike has been stolen: What do I do?
Your bike was stolen? Don't panic! We'll tell you what to do when that happens - and keep a cool head.
By Luko
Whether it's mastering the challenging climb on a mountain bike route with support, going on relaxed weekend tours with friends, or arriving at the office without breaking a sweat despite a 15-kilometre commute. There are countless reasons why more and more cyclists are turning to an electric bike. No wonder! After all, you can now find every common type of bicycle as an e-bike. In other words, there is a right electric bike for every need. But what are the advantages of powered bikes? And what should you look out for if you're thinking about getting one yourself?
E-Bike at a glance: The most important info
The drive is the heart of the e-bike. e-bikes come in three variants. A front-wheel drive is the most cost-effective variant, with which normal bikes can almost always be retrofitted. But, it is not optimal for the riding experience. If you are doing sporty off-road biking, you will mainly find bikes with rear-wheel drive. Mid-engines installed directly in the frame give the most stable running behaviour and a very pleasant riding experience.
If you are interested in e-bikes, you will always come across the term pedelec. This is how the bikes differ:
- The pedelec pedalling motion is electrically assisted. This extra drive is switched off at speeds of over 25 km/h. The pedelec is considered a bicycle, can be ridden on bike paths, and does not require a helmet (but a helmet is recommended anyway because of the speed).
- The real e-bike has a handle to accelerate and can, therefore, be moved without pedalling. Its maximum speed is 20 km/h. It is legally considered a light moped and, therefore, requires an operating license. It is also subject to insurance.
- The S-pedelec also only provides pedalling assistance, but can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h. This type of e-bike needs an operating license, is subject to insurance, and requires a class M driver's license. With an S-pedelec, you are not allowed to ride on normal bike paths. And be sure you have a helmet; they are required.
The advantages of electric bikes compared to bicycles and cars
To what extent an e-bike is worthwhile for you, of course, always depends on how often you use it. Compared to a normal bike, the biggest advantages are the following:
- It's less strenuous! You create good speeds with less muscle power, which provides a lot of driving fun.
- The drive adapts to your needs. For example, you can get help on the drive to work. This way, you don't arrive at the office completely exhausted, but you can ride home without electric support. In this way, you can challenge yourself according to your fitness level.
- An e-bike motivates you to ride. After all, you know you can handle long distances or challenging inclines well.
- You will no longer be left behind. Especially in a group, an e-bike increases the riding fun because even if you don't have quite as much endurance as your experienced cyclists friends, you can still keep up and can be part of the group on longer tours.
Of course, if you're thinking about buying an e-bike as an alternative to a car, there are a whole host of other benefits. The biggest benefits are:
- You are climate-friendly on the road. Compared to a car, the electric bike's engine is more environmentally friendly and emits no emissions.
- You don't get stuck in traffic jams. After all, you can ride an e-bike or pedelec on bike paths and get from point A to B in no time. This is especially true in bike-friendly cities.
- You're doing something for your health. Because even if you are assisted by the drive while cycling, you are in motion much more than when driving a car.
- You save money. Compared to a normal bike, an e-bike is quite expensive. But if you really want to use it as an alternative to a car, a motorised bike is cheaper.
Tips for buying your electric bike
There's no question that owning your own e-bike is an investment. The cheapest models are now available from around €1,700. Brand-name e-bikes can quickly run you between €3,000 and €4,000. It is, therefore, all the more important that you choose a bike that really suits you. That's why we recommend buying an electric bike locally at a bike shop - especially if it's your first e-bike. Here you can test ride a wide variety of models and get extensive advice. E-bike tests can also be a good starting point to get an overview of different manufacturers and their ratings. But don't rely solely on a test result. After all, every cyclist is different, and not every e-bike is suitable for you.
Are you still unsure? Are you not ready to commit to an e-bike yet? Then simply test the motorised bikes by renting one. In this article, you will find various providers that have e-bikes that can be rented by the day or by the month in a subscription model.
