How to prevent recumbent trike theft!

Here are the best practices for keeping your trike in your possession! And some customer stories that you can learn from. The moral of the story is to always lock up your trike, but what else can you do to prevent a stolen trike?
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Chapters:
00:00 Best ways to lock up your trike
03:42 What if it does get stolen?
05:46 Additional precautions to take

[@pennywv8636]

I have one of the early catrike villagers, back when the serial number was just a sticker which is easy to remove. I etched my drivers license number on the frame under the seat cover where it can’t be easily seen, you would have to take the seat cover off to find it.

[@rexfaucher9773]

Bad people will take your stuff no matter what. You make valid points. You can slow a thief down, probably not stop them. Best advice I can give is lock stuff ,never take your eyes off. I've ridden recumbent's for almost 20 years, bikes, over 50 years. You can keep honest folks honest but won't stop a thief. Thanks for the great work Mickey. RF

[@rstewardson4164]

When my TerraTrike was stolen off my rack when staying in a hotel, they cut the cable and were gone. When I visited that same hotel again I had my GreenSpeed replacement and the manager let me park it in her office. Now I'll fold it and take the wheels and seat and take them to my room. I also cover everything else in my Forester using a flat black single sheet. It's a pain, but cheaper that going thru the hassle of going thru police report. When I called the Los Angles Co Sheriff's Office to file the report "the theft of my trike'. I had to explain that it wasn't the Murray tricycle I got for Christmas when I was a kid. My homeowners insurance covered part of my loss, but prorated the amount covered. I also have an alarm installed and will be adding an AirTag.

[@LaidBackCycles]

Sorry to hear that! The more precautions the better.

[@EZSteve]

Good advice Mickey! Seems like on your first locking example, using the U-Lock and the cable combo, a locking strategy is no stronger than its weakest like, which is probably the cable. So, the U-Lock is not really necessary from that standpoint ... just use the cable lock only. I think a more fool-proof strategy would be to use the U-Lock around the frame like you show, but have it attached directly to a steel pole that nestles right there at that cruciform. My homeowner's insurance does indeed cover my trike, which is kept in the locked garage, out of sight. When I'm on tour, the main consideration is when at a supermarket for food resupply. When riding with a buddy, each one of us will take turns going inside to get food and supplies, one at a time, while the other stays with the trikes outside. This is better than a lock of course. But ... when solo, the question is whether to park the trike out of sight behind the store somewhere, or park it right smack dab in front at the main store entrance. Argument could be made for each option, but I always use the "right in front" option because it would take a gutsy thief to make off with it in front of a continual stream of customers (of course, I always do lock it in this situation, which (so-far) has kept my trike mine (and not a thief's new trike). Keeping the two sets of lock keys separate is a must for sure. I keep one key on my key ring, and the other key in a hidden location in my pannier setup. That way, if I ever did lose my key ring (haven't yet, knock on wood, haha), I can still unlock my trike and continue the trip. A thief would be hard pressed to find my hidden key. Thanks for this video! It is very informative and helpful! steve

[@The-GreenHornet]

Good idea. That has always been my question...what to do when solo and shopping. I suppose every situation is different: high population town/city, etc. I thought if shopping at Walmart, you could bring your trike around to the mechanic shop area and ask a guy if he's willing to keep a eye on it while shopping. Tell him that you will give him a nice tip when you are done shopping. Of course even this requires some discernment on your part. If they or the guy seems disinterested or too casual, then maybe you're wasting your time with them. I would explain to them/or the guy that I am on a long-term tour as he would be able to see by my loaded trike. And it is vitally important that my trike is looked after while I shop. I figure a $10. tip is a lot cheaper than a stolen trike or some gear. Second would be locking it up to a pole which can't be lifted up and over. I have a long 6' Heavy Duty cable lock, that can be run through multiple places: frame, and wheels, then to a secured permanent item: pole, etc. My cable 6' lock is a bit of a overkill and a tad heavy. However I figure it's better than a stolen trike. I also have smaller cable locks that lock in all my panniers. They would be fairly easy to cut off but only to a prepared thief with substantial cutters.

[@EZSteve]

@@The-GreenHornet Here is the lock I currently have: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6aTf4NriqeBisU Only for trike trips - don't need it for regional day rides. I have thought about having a small sign on my trike when touring, appealing to the good nature of most people, saying something to the effect that this is my only transportation, and to take it would leave me stranded hundreds of miles from home ... but then again, I bet many thieves would not even care! Criminals have different minds than most of us! steve

[@Victorylap-fy4ke]

@@The-GreenHornet Thieves carry battery-powered cut-off tools in backpacks. They can cut a cable or lock in less than 30 seconds. Look at the theft of catalytic converters on cars and the insane amount of stolen ones. They have to get under cars to do it. Nowadays daylight doesn't intimidate thieves.

[@waltersumofan]

depends on your city. In Toronto, theives have cable cutters so I usually don't recommend using a cable lock. A 10/10 rated Ulock for each tire plus one for frame, is harsh but necessary. One for each quick release wheel and another for locking to something. Also add an AirTag from Apple or equivalent to the bike so you can track it. They may look for that now too but that can help. Going to look for a vibration detector alarm next.

[@keithstewart7514]

Temu has great rechargeable motion alarms with wireless remotes that work great, $20 up but many choices under.

[@sdorn]

529 Garage is great for registering trikes, bikes, scooters, etc.

[@shepatown]

Good info and advice!

[@marktracyr]

I've found a vibration motion detector alarm handy when I'm staying close to my trike but may be out of sight of it for a short while. I also have my trike and batteries and their serial numbers registered with Bike Index.

[@gardenman3]

bike index is great. Have my trike listed there.

[@gardenman3]

So do I

[@tilwayh]

Thanks for the info and the lock recommendation!

[@LaidBackCycles]

You're welcome! Always our pleasure :)

[@AMorgan57]

Thanks for the info about the insurance. I'm aware trikes could be in accidents as well, with the rider and others getting hurt. Is there insurance for that? Also, as far as I can tell, my (2023) ICE Adventure HD serial number is just a printed sticker (super easy to remove) on the bottom of the frame. Do they stamp them somewhere as well? Also, the trike comes with a key lock to prevent the battery from being removed. I wish the lock would prevent the motor from being operated, too.

[@Magoo652]

That's the way I do it. A U-lock to the frame. As you mentioned, most thieves are opportunistic. Thanks for sharing.

[@Victorylap-fy4ke]

Due to the invention of battery-powered grinders or any cut-off tool, they can cut off any lock in a minute. That's why catalytic converter thefts on cars are epidemic. It only takes 90 seconds to steal one. I don't know if opportunist is still a factor because they are taking time and risk to use a car jack to be able to access the Cats. It seems way more have been stolen than trikes.

[@mrssamiporter7070]

Called today re: Topeak mtx pannier bag. We were wondering if there's a way to just get the part on the bottom of the bag that slides in along with the clip lock? If not, if you have another bag in stock?

[@chriswimmer8035]

Soon to be moved to a trike.. have an older (20 year old that is) 2 wheel SWB bent... with electric assist. at 70+, the old balance is not what it used to be. Time to get more stable. I live in Pinole, just north of Berkeley... Love the bay trail that is getting more and more done here. I also take along a "whistle" dog tracker, charge it up and throw it in the sack with all of the other must haves... It will track the bike within about 50 feet of wherever it goes.. . Thanks for your insight on locking the trikes.. you might have a new customer soon.. do you take bent trade ins? Chris

[@waltersumofan]

If you don't have an easy triangle to lock to, try putting the Ulock through the crank

[@spidrawebster]

That's a place where manufacturers need to improve. If the design doesn't include a secure triangle, they should be welding a lock ring onto the frame so folks have something to pass a chain (not just a cable) through.

[@user-xi9ko4vd6i]

Do you have a model number to the lock set you used? Thanks

[@LaidBackCycles]

I believe this is the one shown: 001966

[@michaeldesilvio221]

Get a low jack.

[@garyjohnson4575]

When my bike was stolen, they left the lock and chain like it was still locked!

[@carls.6746]

the only time you should ever use cables it to prevent your wheels from being taken. always us a good chain, cables are so easy to cut it isnt funny.

[@LaidBackCycles]

I have a mega chain but its heavy. I use only once in awhile. A u-lock and cable is good for the fast snatch and grabbers.We just got in the ABUS lock with an alarm, but haven't tried it out yet.