BZ Basel writes that e-bike thefts in Switzerland rose by 38% in one year, with 6,082 e-bikes stolen nationwide. Stolen e-bikes, often worth several thousand francs, are frequently sold on social media platforms like Facebook or exported to countries in the Balkans (Serbia, Albania, Romania). Thieves range from individuals to organized gangs, targeting bikes in garages, cellars, and public spaces. Only 1 in 20 thefts is solved, and insurance payouts are rising due to the higher value of stolen e-bikes. Police recommend storing bikes in locked or monitored spaces and securing them to immovable objects, even at home. The article highlights the sophistication of some theft operations and the increasing integration of security features like tracking and alarms in new e-bikes.
