Mopeds can be a good option for daily commuting. For some, mopeds are their only motorized transportation. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep your moped secure from being stolen.
A pro of owning a vintage pedal start moped is they do not start as easily as newer motorcycles. Most do not have electric starters so this makes stealing mopeds and riding off on them more difficult. In fact, some people have recovered their stolen mopeds not too far from the place it was stolen because the thief did not know how to turn on a moped.
The weight of vintage mopeds are great and a pro for speed and ease of control. The low weight makes for a con of keeping mopeds secure. Mopeds generally weight less than 2oo lbs and can be picked up by one person.
How mopeds are stolen.
Remember that mopeds are not too heavy, a person could lift one up and throw it into a truck. Vintage mopeds have pedals that thieves can also use to ride away with.
How to secure your moped.
At home:
- A very successful way to secure your moped is to park it indoors. Keeping the moped in a secure garage or in your home is one of the most secure places to store a moped.
- We do not all have garages or when keeping the moped indoors is not feasible. Keep the moped covered with a motorcycle cover, tarp, or bike cover. A cover is only a small level of security and acts as a small deterrent.
- In addition to covering the moped, use the built-in security features of your moped if possible. Most mopeds have fork locks that lock the forks in one position. Most have a “kill switch” that keeps the engine from running. Installing a second adds another level of difficulty for a thief to turn on the moped and ride away.
- Don’t ONLY count on the fork lock to secure your moped. Using a lock and chain adds another level of security. You want to make it as time-consuming and difficult as possible to steal your moped.
- Lock up the moped to something that cannot be moved or lifted. Mopeds are small in size so if you live at an apartment complex with a bicycle rack, lock it up there. If at a house with a chain link fence, lock it up to the thicker fence pole. Get creative, again you want to make it difficult for someone to lift the moped and load it into a truck or vehicle.
- Using as many of the above tips together is going to be the best methods for keeping your moped secure. How mopeds are stolen with doing all or most of the above would be a thief who knows your routine.
At a location:
When riding your moped to a location where you may be inside for a while you will need to be creative in making the moped difficult to steal.
- Cover the moped so people pass it up for another bike or motorcycle.
- Use your fork lock and kill switch in addition to a large motorcycle lock.
- Chain or secure the moped to a bike rack or structure that cannot be moved.
Tips for how to secure a moped with a chain and lock.
- Use two or more locks if possible.
- Lock the moped to a rack or structure. Run the chain or u-lock through the frame and secure it to the bike rack.
- If you have a chain and u-lock, use the hardened steel u-lock through the rear wheel’s spokes and frame. This way the moped wheel cannot move because of the u-lock.
How mopeds are stolen when locked.
If not used effectively locks will not keep your moped from being stolen. If you do not lock the moped to a rack or immovable structure the moped can be picked up and thrown into a vehicle. When you lock up the moped, try to keep the keyhole pointed down so it’s harder for someone to pick the lock. Do not let the chain or lock rest on the floor, this could allow the thief to use the floor and a tool for leverage.
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