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Electric bike theft remains a major issue in Europe. The 2025 results of the GfK E-Bike Monitor confirm this, with particularly high self-reported levels.
In France, 18% of respondents say they have already had an electric bike stolen. Belgium shows a rate of 16%, Germany 13%, and the Netherlands 11%. In other words, in some key markets, nearly one in five buyers or prospects has already experienced bike theft.
These figures from the GfK E-Bike Monitor reflect real exposure to risk. Above all, they remind us that bike theft is not a marginal or exceptional phenomenon: it is part of the lived experience of a significant portion of the market.
Launched in 2018 in the Netherlands, the GfK E-Bike Monitor is conducted annually to track developments in the electric bike market. The study analyzes audience profiles, motivations, and consumer purchasing behavior.
In 2025, the survey is based on a representative sample of 2,000 respondents in the Netherlands and 1,000 respondents in each of the three other countries studied: France, Germany, and Belgium. It surveys both current buyers and potential buyers of electric bikes.
This approach makes it possible to understand not only actual experiences but also their impact on market perception and purchase intentions. It is therefore a particularly relevant indicator for industry stakeholders.
For e-bike manufacturers, these results are far from anecdotal. They reveal a challenge that goes beyond the purely security-related dimension and lies at the very heart of the product value proposition.
When theft affects roughly one in five people entering a store, the question of bike protection naturally becomes part of the purchasing journey. It influences the choice of model, the level of equipment, and in some cases, the purchase decision itself.
Retailers and points of sale are also increasingly confronted with these customer concerns. Geolocation is becoming a key asset in reassuring customers when purchasing a premium bike.
Integrating the security dimension into bike design — whether through mechanical, electronic, or connected solutions — is no longer merely a marketing argument. It is a strategic lever to strengthen trust, differentiate product ranges, and support the market’s move upmarket.
Electric bike theft is therefore no longer just an operational risk for the end user. It is increasingly becoming a structuring parameter for the entire value chain.
At Connected Cycle, we offer manufacturers and brands expertise built on twelve years of experience integrating geolocation solutions for all types of bicycles (mechanical bikes, e-bikes, folding bikes, cargo bikes, adapted bikes). These solutions, integrated into tens of thousands of bikes currently in circulation, demonstrate their effectiveness every day in Europe and North America.
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