Scooter theft: How you can secure the scooters
17/4/2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Michael Restin
They can be found in hallways, gardens and outside primary schools - but rarely for long. Scooters are often stolen and often reappear in the nearest bushes. With a few precautions, the chances of a reunion increase.
The shiny birthday present was gone. About six months ago, my son came home from school dejected. Still the proud owner of a Chilli scooter in the morning, he was now a sad man with a cable lock in his hand. The lock was still intact, apparently the number code had simply been cracked. And we were left looking stupid.
The scooters are expensive enough to be really annoying. But not expensive enough to see a cent from the insurance company after deducting the excess. So all that remained were words of comfort and the hope that the vehicle would turn up again at some point. Just like the first time, when two old micro scooters bought second-hand for a few francs temporarily changed hands. I found them again in the bushes at the next tram stop.
The first loss would have been bearable, but the child's sense of justice was severely affected. The second hurt a lot more. And many people know this feeling. Many families have a story to tell about searching for and finding a companion. A few days ago, my son's scooter turned up slightly battered on the school grounds. I want to do three things better in future
1. register and write to him with a contact option
My son recognised his scooter by a characteristic notch. Honest finders would have had no chance of assigning the item to anyone. As always when something goes missing in children's groups, the crucial question is: Was it labelled? Unfortunately, no. And I hadn't registered it with the manufacturer with the serial number either.
I've now done that - and as address labels are easy to remove or make unrecognisable, I'll probably also engrave the name on the underside. This scratches on kerbs anyway and provides a clear indication in case of doubt when the rightful owner is being sought. There's also an inconspicuous sticker with a QR code on the tube, which finders can use to contact me without my mobile number going around the neighbourhood.
I've had good experiences with the Thnx tags: I've had a lost key returned three times as a result. That's three times more often than the tracker from Chipolo has helped me.
2. hide tracker
Nevertheless, it makes sense to use a tracker to search for stolen vehicles. In this case, it will be an AirTag. While there are various practical options for attaching it inconspicuously to bicycles, the choice for scooters is rather modest. Saddle, bidon holder and stem are no longer available. What remains is a bell with an AirTag hiding place.
My son probably wouldn't like that. As I'm not the only one who has to deal with disappearing chillies, I came across a discreet solution at Tekku, which can be ordered or replicated there. Viewed from below, there are options for stowing the AirTag invisibly and permanently in the pipe.
Source: Screenshot instagram.com/@tekku.ch
3. flexible lock instead of cable
So that we never have to search for it again, it would be good to be able to secure the scooter properly. It is not particularly practical in this respect. Neither the handlebars nor the frame have openings through which a lock can be inserted. All that remains are the wheels and the base to thread a thin cable lock through, which quickly breaks the average primary school child's patience. After all, every second counts before and after school. Anything that isn't practical is no longer carried around after the third time.
That's why we had only opted for the minimum solution. The Hiplok FLX at the top of the picture seemed to me to be a sufficient solution as protection against opportunist thieves. It is lightweight, can be clipped to your trousers and also has a light. However, it was also too easy to crack. The criminal energy of passers-by in school playgrounds is enough for that.
For me, the first alternative among the inexpensive solutions is a handcuff lock, which is very variable thanks to the cable and at the same time encloses the handlebar tightly enough. It won't survive a side cutter, but it's unlikely that anyone will use it on a scooter.
But it is much more solid than the old solution and can also be used in places where there are no special parking facilities. On trees, lamp posts or fences, a short chain lock would quickly reach its limits - and it shouldn't be long so that the scooter can't simply be winched out.
Scooters are becoming increasingly popular on the way to school
I would prefer it if the scooter only came out of the cellar in my free time and wasn't used for travelling to school. Like most people, the journey isn't that far. It's just one more item that can get lost and cause chaos in the playground. According to the Federal Roads Office's mobility report, more and more children are nevertheless using them on their way to school. They are particularly popular with six to twelve-year-olds.
The schools are not happy with the flood of scooters either, but they have upgraded and generally offer parking spaces. But these alone cannot prevent minor dramas. Children are often too careless and others too unscrupulous for that. Probably hardly any thefts in this price category are recorded in the statistics. At least there is occasionally a happy ending - and hopefully not the next time for us.
Are you familiar with the problem of scooter theft and what security method has worked for you? I'd love to hear more ideas in the comments.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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