Do Electric Bikes Have Trackers?
 The Short Answer is: |
No, electric bikes do not have trackers built-in. However, some brands are starting to include GPS trackers, and there are aftermarket options available that can be installed on electric bikes. |
Electric bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and with their rise in popularity comes the question of whether or not they have trackers. A tracker is a device that can be used to locate a stolen bike, and it is an important feature for many electric bike owners.
In this article, we will explore the topic of electric bike trackers and answer the question: do electric bikes have trackers? We will look at the different types of trackers available, their features, and how they work.
Table of Contents
Understanding Bike Trackers
Electric bikes do not always come with built-in GPS trackers, but some brands like VanMoof and Stromer are starting to include them. A GPS tracker for an electric bike works similarly to any other Bluetooth device.
It sends out a signal that can be tracked using a dedicated app installed on a smartphone. If an e-bike is stolen, the owner can pinpoint its location and advise the local authorities to help in recovery.
A bike tracker is a small device mounted on a bike that can be tracked via a smartphone app. Many trackers can notify the owner if the bike has moved when it is unattended and where it is.
GPS is not the only thing some of the better electric bike trackers come with. A great tracker won’t just show where the bike is but also provide features such as trip history, geofencing, and theft recovery.
While GPS and Bluetooth bike trackers are available, they may not be an essential tools in the fight against bike theft yet. However, the technology is improving, and trackers on electric bikes may be the real growth area in the immediate future.
Built-in Trackers in Electric Bikes
Electric bikes may or may not have built-in trackers, depending on the brand and model. Here are some key points:
- Some brands are starting to include GPS trackers in their electric bikes, such as VanMoof and Stromer.
- The tracker is usually located in the front wheel and is used to track the bike’s location.
- While newer models of electric bikes may come with trackers already installed, they are fairly expensive.
- Unfortunately, most electric bikes do not have GPS trackers installed by default from the factory.
- There are different models of GPS trackers for bikes, such as the INVOXIA Bike Tracker and HOOT 500.
- There are also bike GPS trackers specifically designed for electric and conventional bicycle fleets, such as those offered by Digital Matter.
If you have an electric bike without a built-in tracker, you can still purchase a GPS tracker separately and install it on your bike. These trackers work similarly to any other type of Bluetooth device and can be tracked using a dedicated app installed on your smartphone.
Some popular GPS trackers for electric bikes include the Tracki 2021 Model Mini Real-time GPS Tracker and the INVOXIA Bike Tracker.
Aftermarket Tracking Devices for Electric Bikes
Electric bikes can be equipped with aftermarket GPS tracking devices to help locate them in case of theft. Here are some popular GPS anti-theft tracking devices for electric bikes.
- Apple AirTag: This is a popular tracking device that uses the FindMy network to track your bike. It requires no ongoing subscription cost, and the easily-replaceable coin cell will give you over a year’s battery life.
- Tile GPS Tracker: This is a user-friendly tracking device that requires no monthly fees. It can be easily attached to your bike and helps you locate it using a phone app.
- Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker: This is a GPS tracker with a 2-year subscription that can be used for vehicles, cars, motorcycles, bikes, and kids. It has a battery life of 120 hours (moving) to 4 months (standby).
- TKSTAR GPS Tracker: This is a high-power tracker that is relatively cheap and comes with a phone app to track your bike. It can be set up with a geo-fence to restrict its movement, and it will send an alert to your phone if it ever breaches your parameters.
- Alterlock Bike Tracker: This is a GPS tracker that is built into a bike lock. It has a battery life of up to 3 months and can be tracked using a phone app. It also has a built-in motion sensor that sends an alert if your bike is moved.
- Awesome GPS Tracker: This is a light and invisible GPS tracker that can be attached to your bike. It uses GPS and GSM technology to alert the owner if anybody touches the bicycle.
GPS trackers for electric bikes capture run hours based on movement to understand and optimize bicycle utilization. They also have features like trip history, geofencing, and theft recovery.
Benefits of Electric Bike Trackers
Electric bike trackers have several benefits, especially in the context of whether electric bikes have trackers. Firstly, a GPS tracker can be installed on an electric bike to help locate it if it is stolen. This can provide peace of mind to the owner and increase the chances of recovery.
Secondly, some electric bikes come equipped with GPS tracking devices, which can be a great security measure. Additionally, GPS trackers for electric bikes can be small and lightweight, making them easy to carry or hide on the bike.
Furthermore, unlike many other trackers on the market, there are no monthly subscription fees paid for GPS trackers for electric bikes. Finally, GPS bike trackers can provide accurate, real-time location information directly to the owner’s phone, which can be helpful in recovering a stolen bike.
Overall, electric bike trackers can provide a range of benefits, including increased security and peace of mind for the owner.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Considerations
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, and as with any new technology, there are privacy concerns and legal considerations to keep in mind. Here are some relevant points to consider:
Privacy Concerns:
GPS Tracking: Some electric bikes may have GPS trackers installed, which can be used to track the location of the bike and its rider. This can raise privacy concerns, as the rider’s location data may be collected and stored by the bike’s manufacturer or other third parties.
Legal Considerations:
- Compliance: Electric bikes are subject to different laws and regulations than non-assisted bikes. In the United States, for example, there are specific safety standards and regulations that electric bikes must meet in order to be sold and used legally. It is important to ensure that any electric bike you purchase complies with these regulations.
- Speed Limit: Electric bike laws state that assistance from the motor must cut out at 15.5mph (25km/h) in the UK, EU, and Australia. In the United States, this limit rises to 20mph. It is important to be aware of these speed limits and to ensure that your electric bike complies with them.
- Personal Information: When you purchase an electric bike, you may be required to provide personal information, such as your name and address, to the manufacturer or seller. It is important to read the privacy policy of the manufacturer or seller to understand how your personal information will be collected, used, and stored.
In conclusion, if you are considering purchasing an electric bike, it is important to be aware of the privacy concerns and legal considerations associated with these devices.
By doing your research and ensuring that your electric bike complies with relevant regulations, you can enjoy the benefits of this exciting new technology while protecting your privacy and staying on the right side of the law.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Electric Bike Trackers:
Can an electric bike be tracked?
Yes, electric bikes can be tracked using GPS tracking devices. These devices can be attached to the bike and connected to a mobile device through an app, allowing the owner to track the bike in real time and pinpoint its location if it is stolen.
Some devices are built into taillights or other bike accessories, making them discreet and difficult to detect.
Do bikes have tracking devices?
Yes, bikes can have tracking devices. There are several GPS bike trackers available in the market that can be attached to the bike and connected to a phone app.
These trackers can help the owner trace the bike’s location and alert the police if it’s stolen. Some examples of GPS bike trackers include the Apple AirTag, AlterLock, Curve, Invoxia, Sherlock, and Boomerang Cyclotrac V2.
Will an electric bike get stolen?
Yes, electric bikes are more likely to get stolen than regular bikes. They are as easy to steal as regular bikes, but they are also significantly more expensive, making the reward for thieves higher.
E-bike theft is rampant, and electric bicycles are prime targets for thieves.
Are electric bikes harder to steal?
Electric bikes are not necessarily harder to steal than regular bikes, but they are more attractive to thieves due to their higher value. Electric bikes can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, making them a very attractive target for thieves.
Therefore, it is important to take precautions to keep your electric bike secure, such as investing in high-quality bike locks, being aware of where you park your e-bike, and considering using a bike alarm system or GPS.
Conclusion: Do Electric Bikes Have Trackers?
In conclusion, electric bikes do have trackers, with the tracker usually located on the front wheel. While newer models of electric bikes may come with trackers already installed on them, they are fairly expensive.
However, most electric bikes do not have GPS trackers installed by default from the factory. The smart e-bike monitoring system (SEMS) is a platform for the real-time acquisition of usage data from electrically-assisted bikes.
Studies have shown that the personal use of e-bikes is associated with a reduction in motorized vehicle use, which has potential benefits for the environment and public health.
