How to Keep Your Electric Scooter or E-Bike from Being Stolen in NYC
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The best protection against theft in New York City is not leaving your electric scooter or e-bike outside at all. Bring it inside whenever you can. When you can't, lock the frame, not a wheel, to something fixed, with a hardened steel U-lock or chain, in a busy, well-lit spot. Add tracking such as Apple Find My, and register it with the NYPD so it can be traced back to you.
- Store it inside overnight and when you won't ride it for a few days.
- Lock the frame, never just a wheel, to a fixed rack or post.
- Use a hardened steel U-lock or chain; a thin cable only stops a quick grab.
- Park where people can see it, and change your spot from day to day.
- Turn on tracking and the app lock if your model has them.
- Keep the serial number, receipt and photos, and register it with your NYPD precinct.
Bring it inside: the most effective step
The NYPD's own advice is that even a strong, expensive lock can be beaten by a determined thief, so the best defense is to store your ride inside at night and whenever you won't use it for a few days. This is where a light, folding electric scooter has a real advantage in a walk-up or a small apartment: a 25 to 45 lb model folds into a closet or under a desk. See the lightest electric scooters for NYC.
Store it safely, too. The FDNY asks riders never to keep or charge an electric scooter or e-bike where it blocks a door or the way out of a room, never to charge it unattended, overnight or on an extension cord, and to use a safe charging and storage room in the building if there is one. Our guide to NYC's battery safety law covers the certified batteries the city requires.
Choosing a lock
| Lock type | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Hardened steel U-lock | Daily parking on the street | Stiff and secure; pick one sized to fit around your frame and a rack |
| Hardened steel chain | Odd-shaped frames, thicker posts | Heavier to carry; the strongest choice for longer stops |
| Cable or combination cable lock | A quick stop where you can see your ride | Easy to cut; use it as a second lock, not the only one |
| Two locks together | Long stops, overnight outside | A thief needs two different tools and twice the time |
In our range: the Hiboy Combination U-Lock, the Riding Times E-Bike Lock with a hardened steel body, the Nanrobot Chain Lock, and the Segway Password Lock, a steel cable lock for a short stop. Ask at any Wilson's shop about availability; our technicians can fit it while you wait.
How and where to lock it
- Lock the frame. The NYPD warns that a thief will leave a locked wheel behind and take everything else. On an electric scooter, lock through the frame or the stem, not the folding latch.
- Lock to something fixed. A city rack or a solid post that can't be lifted over or unbolted. Don't lock to trees.
- Keep the lock off the ground. A lock resting on the pavement is easier to attack.
- Pick a busy, well-lit spot where people walk past, and don't use the same spot every day.
- Take what comes off. If your e-bike's battery or display lifts out, take it with you; it is one of the most expensive parts.
Tracking, app locks and alarms
Many models now come with protection built in, and it's worth using from the first day:
- Apple Find My: built into the Segway F3, Segway E3 Pro, NAVEE G5 and NAVEE GT3, so it shows up on your iPhone's map.
- A hidden AirTag holder: the NAVEE V25 has a slot in the stem for your own AirTag.
- Segway AirLock: on the Segway F3 and the Segway Myon e-bike, it locks and unlocks the ride as you walk away and come back. The Myon also tracks with GPS as well as Apple Find My.
- Alarms: a motion alarm such as the Joyor Anti-Theft Alarm makes a thief's job louder. Our technicians install alarms and anti-theft wiring from $35.
Tracking doesn't stop a theft; it helps get your ride back. Use it alongside a good lock, never instead of one.
Register it and keep records
The NYPD runs a free Operation ID bicycle registration program for riders: call or visit your local precinct and ask for the Crime Prevention Officer. They engrave a number on the frame and add a decal that leaves the word "void" behind if a thief peels it off. Whether or not you register, keep these somewhere safe:
- The serial number (on the frame or deck, and on your receipt)
- Your receipt or order confirmation
- Clear photos of your ride, including anything that makes it yours
It's also worth asking whether your renters or homeowners insurance covers an electric scooter or e-bike, and on what conditions.
If your electric scooter or e-bike is stolen
- Report it to the police. Call 911 if the theft is happening now; otherwise report it at your local precinct with the serial number, photos and receipt.
- Check its location with Find My or the maker's app, and give it to the police. Don't try to get it back yourself.
- Tell your insurer if you are covered, with the police report.
- Lock it in the app if your model allows, so it can't be ridden.
Replacing it, and keeping it running
If you need a new ride, our NYC electric scooter buying guide and best e-bikes for NYC cover models that fit the city's rules, and you can test ride them at our shops. If your ride comes back damaged, our technicians repair every brand at all six shops; a simple inspection is free. See our NYC repair price guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lock for an electric scooter in NYC?
A hardened steel U-lock or chain through the frame or stem, to a fixed rack, in a busy spot. A cable lock is fine as a second lock or for a stop where you can see your ride.
Can I bring my electric scooter or e-bike inside my apartment?
That depends on your building's rules. If you do, never keep it or charge it where it blocks a door or exit, and don't charge it unattended or overnight, as the FDNY advises.
Do electric scooters have GPS tracking?
Many do. The Segway F3, Segway E3 Pro, NAVEE G5 and NAVEE GT3 have Apple Find My built in, and the Segway Myon e-bike has GPS and Find My.
How do I register my e-bike with the NYPD?
Call or visit your local precinct and ask for the Crime Prevention Officer about the Operation ID bicycle registration program.
Can Wilson's fit a lock or alarm for me?
Yes. Our technicians fit locks and install alarms and anti-theft wiring, from $35, at our shops in Flushing, Elmhurst, Brooklyn and Long Island City. Walk-ins are welcome.
Sources: NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, Bicycle Theft Prevention; NYPD, Property Protection; FDNY, lithium-ion battery safety tips; product features from our product pages. Checked October 2026. General information.