E-bikes and e-scooters are prime targets for thieves, and the UW campus in Seattle is no exception. From January to November 2024, 30 e-bikes and 40 e-scooters were reported stolen — 23 e-scooters in October alone.
If you’re an e-bike or e-scooter owner, there are several steps you can take to protect your ride.
1. If you can, bring your e-bike or e-scooter indoors
Check into getting access to a bike room, locker or house. Several UW buildings have secure bicycle rooms for use by building occupants, and most residence halls provide bicycle storage in designated bicycle rooms. Access to bike rooms in non-residential buildings should be coordinated through that building’s Building Coordinator. Access to residence hall bike rooms should be coordinated through Housing and Food Services or with the hall’s front desk.
2. Use two locks – and make one of them a U lock
Yes, this is inconvenient, but it can make it significantly tougher for thieves to take your e-bike. If you’re leaving your bike for an extended time, use a U lock and a chain lock. Lock your bike to a strong anchor, like a bike rack.
3. Take your battery with you
Thieves are less interested in a ride without the battery.
4. Register your e-bike or e-scooter
Register your e-bike or e-scooter with Bike Index. Knowing your serial number makes it easier to return your bike to you if it ever gets lost or stolen and then recovered. Recovery does happen! If your serial number has worn off or you never had a serial number, engrave an owner ID on your e-bike or e-scooter. Use an engraving tool to apply an owner ID, such as your driver’s license number (never use your social security number).
5. Install a GPS tracker
GPS trackers, like Tiles or Apple AirTags are small and easy to conceal. It improves the odds that law enforcement will be able to locate your e-bike or e-scooter if it’s stolen.
6. Report suspicious activity and theft
- If you see suspicious activity around bike racks, call 911. This is the most frequent way we catch thieves in the act.
- Make a police report when your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen. If your ride is stolen on campus, you can report online or call UWPD’s non-emergency number, 206-685-8973. If your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen in the City of Seattle, if it’s worth $500 or less, use the Seattle Police Department’s online form. If it’s worth more than $500, call the Seattle Police Department non-emergency line at 206-625-5011. You can also mark your e-bike or e-scooter stolen on Bike Index.
- Make an anonymous tip. If you know something about a crime, but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the UWPD on its tipline at 206-685-8477.