In recent years, with the spread of electric assist bicycles, battery theft has become a serious problem. According to statistics from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, there were 373 cases of battery theft from electric assist bicycles in Tokyo in 2023, a sharp increase of 1.6 times compared to the previous year . The reasons for this are the increasing demand for used batteries (in some cases, batteries in good condition can be priced at over 20,000 yen on auction sites) and the size of the battery, which makes it easier to steal than the vehicle itself . The biggest risk is being complacent and thinking, "I'm safe." We will explain specific measures that you can put into practice starting today.
Three major measures to prevent battery theft
1. Strengthening hardware defenses
- Introducing a dedicated lock : A combination lock with an anti-cut wire that secures the battery to the vehicle is effective. For example, the FINO battery lock, which is made in China but uses a 3mm iron-core wire, Combines flexibility and strength.
- Dual lock system : By using a chain lock and a U-lock together, it increases the effort required to destroy tools.
2. Optimizing the bicycle parking environment
- Choose a monitored bicycle parking lot : Convenience store bicycle parking lots (about 80% have security cameras) and paid bicycle parking lots in front of train stations are best.
- Placement that eliminates blind spots : If you are placing the vehicle at the entrance to your home, make sure the vehicle is facing a position where it can be seen from the road and place the battery side close to the wall.
3. Thorough individual identification
- Use engraving services : Some local governments will engrave a unique number on the battery case free of charge. According to a survey by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, thefts decreased by 47% when the number was engraved.
- QR code tags : A new service is now available that allows you to attach a sticker-type security tag (e.g. TraceTAG) to the inside of an item and register the owner's information.
What to do if your device is stolen
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Call 110 <br> Once you discover the damage, immediately contact the police. If you have a GPS-equipped model, you can provide a history of your movements (for example, a vehicle equipped with Yamaha's "Smart Power Assist").
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Contact your insurance company <br>You may be covered by comprehensive bicycle insurance (TS mark attached) or special provisions in your fire insurance. From April 2025, major insurance companies will be expanding their plans to explicitly cover battery theft .
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Monitoring the second-hand market <br>Search for model numbers and engraving information on Mercari and Rakuma. In fact, in 2023, Saitama Prefectural Police recovered stolen goods using auction listing information as a clue . .
Latest anti-theft technology examples
- AI security camera linkage system (currently being tested in Toshima Ward, Tokyo): AI detects abnormal behavior in bicycle parking lots and sends real-time notifications to the manager's smartphone.
- Vibration detection alarm : If the sensor built into the battery detects any unauthorized impact, it will sound a 100dB alarm to scare you off.
