How to Track Your Bike With GPS Trackers

Bikes are in and how. More and more people are switching to bikes for exercising and traveling - causing a ‘bike-boom'. People who are hesitant about traveling by public transport are either dusting off their old bikes or buying themselves a new one.

However, as there is an increase in demand for bikes and ridership, combined with the non-availability of desired bikes, there has been a noticeable hike in bike theft. The recent pandemic has brought on a wave to be healthy, eco-friendly, and self-sufficient.

Why should you invest in a GPS bike tracker?

According to a National Bike Registry (Bike Index), 96,583 bikes were reported stolen last year. Although alarms and other devices such as bike locks and immobilizers accompany many high-end bikes, they sadly can be compromised. GPS bike trackers are a boon to bikers.

These devices have helped in curbing bike thefts at the nip. Modern day GPS trackers for bikes come with tamper-proof mechanisms and motion sensors that alert the bike owner of any unusual activity.

How to track your bike?

Once you attach the GPS bike tracker to your bike, you can download its companion app onto your phone. The GPS bike tracker works hand-in-hand with the app. Many of these trackers are compatible with both Android and iOS phones. The apps are usually extremely user-friendly that even the most technically challenged person can pair the device to the phone and learn how to operate it.

While some bikes sound an alarm, others send notifications to your phone or other mobile device, giving you a chance to prevent the theft. However, if your bike is stolen, the tracker allows you to track your bike’s location in real-time movement using the Map app. You can also log into the tracker’s website to check where your bike is. With the help of the tracker, the chances of recovering your vehicle are stronger.

Once the GPS location of the lost bike has been identified, owners can call the cops to help with its recovery.

GPS bike trackers have also proven to be a useful tool for those who rent out bikes. As most trackers offer a geofencing facility, bike rental services can create a virtual border around the area they want their vehicles to stay. This proves advantageous for the bike renters who need to keep a track of their customers, and more importantly, their bikes.

As bikes are usually rented out for a few hours, extra minutes that can at times lead to an additional hour or two can often be overlooked when maintaining manual records. Billing ambiguity is lessened with the help of GPS trackers as it’s easy to keep a track of riding time and handling when the bike is out on rent. And yes, you can monitor multiple bikes on a single screen if you own more than one tracker.

The geofencing facility in the tracker is also useful for parents to safeguard their kids as they will receive a text message in case the bike leaves the earmarked safe zone. Parents can also view their ward’s location in real-time or check the record of where they have been.

In case you are having a problem remembering where you parked your bike, the GPS tracker can guide you to it.

Do note, however, that there is a wide range of GPS tracking devices for bikes and that the variant you pick may factor in your chance of a successful and speedy resolution in case your bike is stolen. Although investing in a high-end tracker may seem extravagant, it does come with its set of perks, right from providing details of your biking performance to the routes you took for your ride.

Some trackers will have different levels of GPS service based on the tier subscription you pick, so choose wisely.

And while GPS tracking devices for bikes are a godsend, do remember that they are not always full-proof. Use locks and other precautions you would normally put in place to safeguard your bike.

Some other ways to protect your bike

Lock it up

A sturdy bike lock such as a U-Lock for instance can make a thief’s job a tad more difficult. Such a lock can either result in the thief abandoning the attempt to steal your bike or move on to one that has a less secure lock. It’s best to use two to three locks with different key systems. Avoid cable locks as most of them can be snipped using a pair of garden scissors. When parking the bike in public, lock both wheels and the frame to a bike rack or other immovable objects such as a street sign or post.

Park it right

Always try to park your bike in well-lit, well-exposed streets. Pick a place that has CCTV surveillance. Avoid busy streets and silent alleyways, because nobody will notice the theft. When parking your bike at home, store it in a locked shed or garage. Set up an alarm for the shed or garage.

Modification time

Most parts of a bike can be removed easily with the help of a screwdriver. Get a mechanic to replace your regular screws and bolts with locking skewers. Locking skewers are complicated bolt-heads that need a special key to dismantle them. Blocking up the Allen keyhole on seat clamps with ball bearings is another option.

Cover it up

When transporting your bike, consider covering a bike cover to avoid attracting thieves. Decorating your bike with stickers and even duct tape can make your bike look less attractive and less valuable to thieves.

Record and report

Take a photo, keep a record of the frame number, take a photo and other details about your bike such as make, model, and color, in case your bike is stolen. If your bike is stolen, reporting the theft at your local police station could help you retrieve your bike.

From flyers to second-hand stores

If your bike is important to you, how about putting up some flyers around your neighborhood? You can also share these flyers with the second-hand bike stores around your area. They can alert you in case the thief approaches them.

Get it insured

Some household policies include bike insurance. Make sure you get comprehensive bike insurance for your bike. Report the theft to your insurer in case your bike is stolen.

In conclusion, while there are several ways to keep your bike safe, a combination of several of these precautions could help safe-guard your bike from thieves.