When traveling and exploring your favorite Hawaii, it’s highly recommended to rent a scooter to enjoy your trip in your own way. You can navigate through popular tourist spots, take your own time, and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. However, rented scooters and mopeds are considered a popular target for thieves due to their lightweight and easy-to-move design. You should always make sure you keep your rented scooter, or your own private scooter, secured and make it a priority to follow high-security safety precautions. In this article, let’s look at top-level scooter security tips and how to lock your scooter when you’re not riding it.
Why is Scooter Security Important?
There are a lot of reasons why scooter security is considered important, and here are a few reasons to look into:
- To prevent your scooter from being stolen: Scooters and mopeds are popular targets for thieves because they are relatively easy to steal.
- To protect your investment: By locking your scooter properly with the best lock, even if it’s a rented one, you can protect your investments and money.
- To prevent the scooter or moped from being used to commit other crimes: Normally, stolen scooters are often used to commit other crimes such as robberies and burglaries.
- To protect yourself and others: You can protect your personal belongings and yourself while ensuring the scooter won’t be a tool thieves use to harm other people through robberies and assaults.
Why Mopeds Are Targeted by Thieves
Not only mopeds or scooters but even motorcycles are vulnerable to theft. Thieves often target mopeds that are parked in poorly lit or isolated areas. One of the first things you should consider is not to leave your mopeds or scooters unattended for extended periods in such stranded places. Contrary to this, they are also a theft target, particularly in tourist-heavy locales, especially in Oahu, Hawaii. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, Oahu reported more than 2,881 motor vehicle thefts, averaging about 9 vehicles stolen each day.
Thieves in Hawaii usually employ various attack methods to steal mopeds, exploiting their size and weight. Their diverse strategies include quick lift-and-go techniques, breaking locks, and observing parking patterns. So, if you’re renting or owning a scooter or moped, you should take necessary precautions to prevent theft by all means.
Hawaiian Police Recommend the Following Precautions for Moped Owners:
- If possible, keep your bike concealed in a garage or storage area when it is parked at home overnight.
- Park in safe, well-lit areas and remove the key from the ignition.
- Lock mopeds to a fixed object, preferably with a “Kryptonite” type lock or heavy chain. (Cables can be easily cut with bolt cutters.)
- Be aware that the more obvious the security, the less attractive your moped is to thieves.
- Keep a record of the vehicle identification number, registration number, and engine number.
- Inscribe an identifiable name or number in as many inconspicuous parts of the moped as possible to help police identify it, if it’s stolen.
Parking and Securing Your Scooter
Parking and securing your scooter in Waikiki is essential for your convenience and overall safety. You can look for designated scooter parking areas that can be found near popular attractions, beaches, and shopping centers. You should always make sure to park your moped in well-lit areas with high foot traffic that can prevent theft attempts. You should know that thieves are less likely to target vehicles in visible and busy locations. It’s not recommended to park your vehicle, bike, or moped in the same place every time or leave it unattended for days at a time because thieves notice patterns.
Utilize Bike Cage Parking
Bike cages offer designated and secure locations for parking scooters and mopeds. It significantly reduces the likelihood of theft. You can ensure that your rented scooter or moped is parked in a controlled environment. But you should also make sure to secure your moped to an immovable object, so lock it to a rack so it’s not easy to lift by thieves. Remove any unsecured accessories and personal items from your bike or moped before leaving.
Take a photo of your property, including the VIN or serial number, and keep it on your phone or in a safe place so you can find the information should your property be taken.
Choosing the Right Scooter Locks
As I said, securing your moped to an immovable object with heavy-duty locks is crucial to prevent theft. Using the best scooter locks, such as a solid steel lock and heavy chain, can deter theft by making it more challenging for thieves to remove your moped from parking.
Consider the following factors when choosing a scooter lock:
- The type of lock: There are two main types of locks; chain locks and U-locks. Chain locks are more flexible and easier to use, but they are also less secure than U-locks. U-locks are more secure, but they are also less flexible and more difficult to use.
- The strength of the lock: Choose electric scooter locks that are made of a strong material, such as hardened steel.
- The length of the lock: If you are using a chain lock, make sure that it is long enough to lock your scooter to a secure object or a solid anchor.
Here are the types of locks for you to consider for scooter security:
1. Disc Locks
These moped locks secure onto your scooter or motorcycle brake disc, preventing the machine from being pushed away. It is best used on the rear wheel if possible, as the front is easy to remove and swap, but either is worth doing. Just don’t forget to remove it before you ride off; a good tip is to fit the lock close to the fork leg, in the direction you’ll ride off.
Advantages: Stops the bike from being pushed away, generally small and easy to carry, some are alarmed to add extra security.
Disadvantages: Doesn’t stop the machine from being picked up and put in a van when used on its own, and can be forgotten, causing damage if you ride off without removing it.
2. U-Locks
With a large U-shaped shackle, these can be passed through the wheel, around the fork legs, or sometimes the swingarm. They’re popular with cyclists, who use them to secure the frame to street furniture, but this won’t always be possible on a scooter or motorcycle. It is crucial to ensure your scooter is properly locked to prevent theft.
Advantages: Can be used to solidly lock either wheel to prevent pushing away, and offers the versatility of being used with a chain to lock to something solid.
Disadvantages: You should choose a U-lock that’s as small as possible to suit your needs, as they can potentially be defeated with a small hydraulic jack.
3. Chain and Lock
A chain and padlock, whether a U-lock or suitable disc lock, can be used to wrap around the wheel and tie the wheel to the forks or swingarm, or ideally to secure your scooter to something solid.
Advantages: Versatile, easy to lock your bike to something solid like an anchor, can often be rolled up quite small.
Disadvantages: Fabric chain sleeves can get wet and dirty, while chains can be heavy and awkward to carry. Chains can also be vulnerable to attacks from tools like angle grinders, making it crucial to choose a high-quality, resistant chain.
4. Cable Locks
Cable locks are popular with cyclists and can roll up reasonably small to store on your motorcycle or scooter.
Advantages: Easy to keep clean, can secure your machine to a solid object, often can’t be cut with bolt-croppers, usually lighter than a chain. Using a security device like a cable lock can be very effective in preventing theft when maintained properly.
Disadvantages: Basic cable locks can generally be cut quickly with hand tools.
Here are some extra tips to help your scooter and moped stay safe from the hands of thieves:
- Add Ground Anchors for Fixed Security: You should know that ground anchors are an excellent deterrent against theft. These sturdy devices can be fitted to a concrete floor or brick wall, allowing you to secure your scooter with a chain and padlock. You can install a ground anchor in a secure and inconspicuous location. You can follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully during installation and use a high-quality chain and lock to attach your scooter to the anchor.
- Use a Combination of Locks and Security Measures: If you rely on a single lock, it can leave your scooter vulnerable to theft. Instead, you can combine multiple security measures for maximum protection. A combination of a disc lock for the wheels and a security chain can make your scooter a tough target for thieves.
- VIN Marking and Registration: You can inscribe your scooter with its Vehicle Identification Number and register it on platforms like Immobilise. This makes it easier to recover your scooter if it’s stolen and can aid the police in identifying your vehicle if it’s traceable.
Advanced Moped Security Tips
If you are planning or implementing effective security measures for protecting your moped and scooter, then it can save you from unnecessary stress and financial loss. Following a comprehensive motorcycle security guide can provide you with the best methods to prevent bike theft. Here are some advanced moped security tips using a GPS tracker to monitor your moped’s location.
Invest in a GPS Tracker
A GPS tracker today is a great addition to your security toolkit. With real-time location tracking, you can monitor your scooter’s whereabouts and act quickly in case of theft. This is a great and useful security measure, especially in crowded places like Honolulu, where it can increase your chances of recovering your moped if it’s stolen.
Use a Protective Cover
Hawaii is known for its tropical climate and unpredictable weather. A scooter cover can protect your ride from rain, sun, and salt-laden air, keeping it in excellent condition while also deterring opportunistic thieves by concealing it.
Consider Using a Scooter Alarm
You can add a scooter alarm that can deter thieves and alert you immediately if someone is trying to steal your scooter.
How to Lock Your Scooter
Step 1: Choose the Right Lock
You should choose a lock that matches your moped or scooter, but make sure it’s strong. U-locks are the most secure type of scooter lock, as they are difficult to cut or break, but you can also use a disc lock as it is smaller and more portable to lock the rear disc brake on your scooter or moped. Look for chains with Sold Secure approval, a recognized quality standard endorsed by the police and insurance companies.
Step 2: Find a Secure Place
Once you’re not riding your rented moped or scooter, you should lock it in a safe and visible place. While you’re trying to enjoy your vacation, don’t forget to park your scooter in a well-lit area with plenty of pedestrian traffic. You can lock your scooter to a fixed object, such as a bike rack or a streetlight, or add an anchor for you to fix it to the floor.
Step 3: Lock Your Scooter’s Frame
You must remember the most important thing is to lock your scooter’s frame. This will definitely prevent thieves from simply picking up your scooter or motor and riding it away. You can thread the lock through your scooter’s frame and around a fixed object.
Step 4: Lock Your Scooter’s Wheels
In addition to locking your scooter’s frame, you should also lock your scooter’s wheels. This will make it more difficult for thieves to roll your scooter away. Use a cable lock or U-lock to lock your scooter’s wheels to the frame.
Step 5: Add a Final Layer of Security
You can consider adding a final layer of security to your scooter, such as an alarm or a GPS tracker. An alarm will deter any thieves and will alert you if someone tries to tamper with your scooter, and a GPS tracker will allow you to track your scooter if it’s stolen.
What To Do If Your Moped Is Stolen
In case of moped or scooter theft, you need to take immediate action. Here are some imperative steps to follow if your moped is stolen:
1. Report to Police
You must file a police report for a stolen moped or scooter to follow up with insurance claims and recovery efforts. When reporting the theft, provide the police with the serial number and any other identifying information. This information helps the authorities track and potentially recover your stolen moped.
Police urge anyone with information about stolen mopeds to call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
2. Check for Surveillance Footage
It would be helpful to check surveillance footage from local businesses or homes, as it can be invaluable in recovering a reported stolen moped or identifying the thief. Check with nearby establishments to see if any cameras may have captured the theft.
This evidence can assist the police in their investigation and increase the chances of recovering your moped.
3. Notify Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance company immediately after the theft is essential for initiating a claim and documenting the incident. You can provide them with the police report number and any other relevant details. If your moped is covered, the insurance company can help you through the claims process and potentially compensate for your loss.
Conclusion
Maintaining scooter or moped security in Hawaii doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can use multiple locks, and add extra safety by advancing tools like GPS trackers and ground anchors. It is important to use a strong lock, to lock your scooter to a secure object, and to lock your wheels. If you are ever unsure about how to lock your scooter, or if you have any questions about scooter security, please consult with a qualified mechanic. I hope by following these tips, you can help to keep your scooter safe and secure. With a little investment in quality security measures, you’ll enjoy the freedom of exploring Hawaii’s beautiful landscapes without any worries. Aloha and happy riding!
FAQs
Do I need a lock for my moped?
To ensure maximum protection, Kryptonite recommends using two locks. A disc lock can prevent rollaway theft, while a U-lock secured to an immovable object helps protect against liftaway theft. This dual-lock system offers the highest level of defense for your bike.
Do mopeds get stolen easily?
Thieves can steal a moped, scooter, or motorcycle in just a few seconds, particularly if security is lacking. However, by following our security tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of theft and protect your vehicle.