Which Electronic Lock is the Best for E-Bikes / E-Scooters?

Which Electronic Lock is the Best for E-Bikes / E-Scooters?

Reviewing the Best Electronic Locks for E-Scooters and E-Bikes

Most e-bikes and e-scooter come equipped with electronic locks as a last line of defence against theft. Theft is unavoidable if the intention and motivation is clear. Most of these electronic locks are to prevent against casual theft and not premeditated theft which requires the use of specialized tools and pre-planning. 

In this comparison of industry standard electronic locks, we tried to be as objective as possible in scoring and all scoring is based on our experience as riders of ebikes and e-scooters for more than a decade. Let us know if you agree or disagree, all feedback are welcome! 

Categories:

  1. Stealth Level - this is how easy it is for a passer by to identify the locking system and attempt to disable it. The less easy it is to identify, the harder it is to tamper with the lock. The higher the score, the more difficult it is to tamper with the lock; the lower the score, the easier it is to tamper. 
  2. Level of Security - this is determined by how easy it is to identify and disable the locking system by forced removal (cutting). 
  3. Ease of Use - how easy it is for the owner of the ebike or escooter to enable and disable the lock and the hassle of having to carry the key around. The higher the score, the easier to replace; the lower the score, the harder to replace.
  4. Ease of Replacement - if keys are lost, how easy it is to make a spare key or to replace the keys to unlock the vehicle. The higher the score, the easier to replace; the lower the score, the harder to replace.
  5. Quickstart - how easy it is to unlock your ebike or e-scooter and zip off. The higher the score, the easier to activate; the lower the score, the harder to activate.
  6. Alarm Feature - When tampered with, is there an alarm to alert the owner and surrounding people? The higher the score, the better the alert system. 
  7. Cost - its about the $$$. How much does it cost to install one of these locks? The lower the cost, the higher the score; the higher the cost, the lower the score.
 

 

Key Lock

key lock

 

Remote Alarm and Immobiliser

immobilizer remote

Fingerprint/Biometric Lock

fingerprint lock

GPS Immobiliser

zerotrk gps tracker

Stealth Level (tamper-ability)

1 - 

Visible and obvious on handlebar

3 -

Hidden inside scooter/bike

2 - 

Visible on handlebar but not immediately obvious

3 -

Hidden inside scooter/bike

Level of Security

2 -

It will take a skilled thief at least 15-20 mins to hot wire everything

2 -

It will take a skilled thief at least 30-45 mins to hot wire everything

2 - 

It will take a skilled thief at least 15-20 mins to hot wire everything

3 -

It will take a skilled thief at least 30-45 mins to hot wire everything. But by then, you will be notified via an alert sms of vehicle tampering.

Ease of Use

1 -

Have to fumble with keys

2 -

Just press a button on the remote key

3 -

You will never leave your finger at home

1 -

You need your phone and open an app and enter a code

Ease of Replacement

-

Have to replace the whole lock if key lost

Have to replace whole lock if remote lost 

-

Have to replace finger if finger lost (joking)

-

Will always be able to download app even if phone lost

QuickStart

-

Have to fumble with keys

2 -

Simple press of a start button on the remote

One touch

1 -

Have to take out phone, open app, key in code

Alarm Feature

1 -

No alarm

2 -

Simple horn

1 -

No alarm

3 -

SMS Alert Alarm

Cost

-

Low Cost Lock

3 -

Low Cost Lock

2 -

High Cost Lock

-

High Cost with annual sim card fee

Total Score

11

15

16

15

 

The winner is...The biometric / FINGERPRINT LOCK!

With the Remote immobilizer and GPS Immobilizer coming in a close second due to its stealth feature and alarm features.

However, as a word of caution, we do want to note that there is a difference in locking an e-scoter and e-bike. There is absolutely no substitute for a strong bicycle lock. An e-scooter if disabled via an electronic lock, cannot be used anymore (although it can be pushed or carried away). An ebike when electronically locked, can still be ridden away. So as a strong recommendation (take it from us veterans of many a lost bikes), get yourself a strong lock too! 

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