With over two million bicycle thefts annually in the US alone (Bike Index Annual Theft Report 2025), theft remains a significant barrier to eBike adoption, as highlighted by eBike System manufacturer Bosch.
Bosch eBike Systems is addressing this challenge by extending its digital theft protection portfolio – started in 2018 with eBike Lock, which was supplemented by eBike Alarm, and Battery Lock – with a new solution allowing riders to mark their eBikes as stolen via the eBike Flow app, making stolen components permanently identifiable across Bosch eBike Systems’ digital ecosystem. This aims to make resale of a stolen eBike much more difficult whilst also increasing recovery chances, as well as deterring theft.
Second-hand buyers, specialist dealers, and authorities receive an instant warning when attempting to connect to the eBike via the eBike Flow app, including the serial numbers of components marked as stolen. The feature seamlessly integrates into riders’ digital lifestyles through the eBike Flow app; no additional hardware required.
Highlighted benefits:
System-wide devaluation: Stolen eBikes become worthless to thieves. The “stolen” status is visible to bicycle dealers, potential second-hand buyers, authorities and other eBike Flow app users, making resale nearly
impossible.
Increased chance of recovery: The ecosystem-wide identification significantly improves recovery likelihood. When a bicycle dealer connects the eBike to the Bosch Diagnostic Tool, or a potential buyer tries to pair it with the eBike Flow App, a warning is displayed, making the stolen property easily identifiable.
Access restriction as deterrent: It renders the eBike less useful for an unauthorised person by permanently blocking the connection to the eBike Flow App. This prevents access to functions like over-the-air updates or
individual ride mode adjustments.
Owner control and simplicity: The eBike can be marked as stolen with just a few clicks in the app, and only the registered owner can remove the flag once the eBike is recovered. This action also provides the option to
immediately create a theft report for the police.
The new solution will be presented at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, adding another layer of digital theft protection to the German manufacturer’s smart system.
A system for retailers and customers alike
Bosch highlights that eBikes and batteries marked as stolen will be identifiable across the full Bosch eBike Systems digital ecosystem. We’re told that “This makes reselling stolen eBikes or batteries incredibly difficult and increases the chances of owners getting them returned”.
- Buyers of used eBikes, specialist retailers and public authorities will be sent a warning when they attempt to connect to the eBike via the eBike Flow app.
- This includes the serial numbers of the components that are marked as stolen. In addition, the connection with the eBike Flow app is permanently blocked.
- Critically, it is no longer possible for the eBike to receive over-the-air updates or for custom riding modes to be selected.
- Specialist dealers will also receive a warning in the Diagnostic Tool, the diagnostic software from Bosch eBike Systems, when they connect the eBike for servicing.
