Collection: Trackers & alarms

GPS, Airtags and alarms fall under the banner of 'soft security'. These items are designed to make the life of bike thieves more difficult either during a theft or after, when attempting to trade in stolen e-bikes. In some cases you'll be doing society a favour by making e-bikes less desirable for thieves and/or easier for Police to identify, even if it didn't save your bike in its moment of need.

'Bricking'

Perhaps the most effective of all soft security, 'bricking' refers to the inability of a thief to use your e-bike once it is stolen. 

This is both a deterrent (thieves often check an e-bike works before stealing it) and as a recovery aid. A 'bricked' e-bike isn't so easy to sell and is more likely to be dumped - a winning combination with a tracker. You can't often buy 'bricking' as an add-on, so check before you purchase. This might be achieved by an ignition key (eZeebike), a PIN before each ride (various) or inbuilt into the bike's electrics (**NEEDS LINK** Bosch Smart System, Aventon). 

GPS Trackers

These have SIM cards on them that allow them to transmit their location autonomously, no matter where they are. The SIM card comes with unavoidable ongoing costs, ~$40-80/year. They are generally hardwired and powered by the e-bike. Available as aftermarket (Follo), branded to the bike (Bosch Smart System) and included with the bike as standard (Aventon). Set up properly, these alert you in real time when your bike is stolen.

Airtag style 'trackers'

This ingenious technology popularised by Apple has no ongoing costs because the tag use only Bluetooth to communicate their location. They do this to the mobile phones of unwitting strangers' who walk past, whose phones transmit this information to Apple (or Samsung etc) who then tell you. Coverage is excellent wherever humans roam. The tags themselves have limitations during a theft - limitations which the Knog Scout overcomes, allowing you to be notified in real time during a theft. 

Alarms

Easily understood, alarm give a warning when your bike is moved and sound an alarm if the thief persists. Alarms can be standalone, part of a tracker or Knog Scout or even part of your ebike. 

Garage 529

Keep it simple - all of the above has far less value if a member of the public cannot identify you as the owner of a bricked/dumped/suspicious e-bike. Registering on Garage 529 fills this gap and gives everyone a fighting chance of not buying your stolen e-bike.