More e-bikes and more thefts require comprehensive protection
Bike thefts have increased significantly in the last year. E-bikes in particular are increasingly the focus of thieves. In addition to theft, damage and breakdowns are also a source of annoyance for bike owners. TCS Velo Versicherung has been helping in these cases for five years.
According to Velosuisse, there are now 5.2 million conventional bikes and 1.4 million e-bikes on Swiss roads. Although the bike boom of the coronavirus years has flattened out, demand for two-wheelers is still high. A good 340,000 bikes were sold last year. Almost 45% of these were e-bikes, which is the second-highest proportion in the last 20 years. It is therefore clear that e-bikes are having an ever greater impact on the overall bicycle market. As e-bikes are more expensive on average than conventional bikes, more and more owners have a two-wheeler with considerable value. In addition to the bike itself, the market for accessories is also booming, which further increases the value of the individual e-bike. It is therefore not surprising that this development is awakening illegal desires
E-bikes the focus of thieves
According to crime statistics, over 54,000 bicycle thefts were reported to the police last year, although the number of unreported cases is likely to be higher. While the increase for bicycles was "only" one percent, it rose by 27 percent for e-bikes. E-bikes now account for almost half of all thefts. Anyone who has their bike or e-bike stolen can also count on TCS Velo Versicherung. Policyholders receive financial compensation of up to 100 percent of the new price or up to the selected sum insured.
Of course, it is best if the bike is not stolen at all. The TCS therefore recommends a sufficiently strong lock that is connected to a fixed element (e.g. a fence) when locking. In the case of e-bikes, the battery or other easily removable accessories should also be removed and the frame number should always be noted when purchasing the bike. Last year, the TCS tested bicycle locks for their effectiveness. Find out more here: Bike lock test and Bike tracker test.
Breakdown assistance for bicycles
If owners want to protect their bikes against theft, breakdowns and damage, TCS Velo Versicherung has been helping them for five years. In addition to the theft protection mentioned at the beginning, TCS is also on hand to help with bicycle breakdowns. In 2024, the patrollers carried out a good 2,300 operations for bicycles, around 60 percent of which involved e-bikes. The most common causes of breakdowns were tires, chains or tire valves. Almost 60 percent of repairs can be fixed on site. If this is not the case, TCS organizes the transport of the bike and takes care of the customer's onward journey. After an accident or fall, the subsequent repair of the bike at a TCS bike partner is also fully covered.
Source: TCS
