theft protection
Protective measures: Alarm systems for bicycles are becoming increasingly popular
Every year around 300,000 bicycles are stolen in Germany alone
© D-No / Getty Images
Have you ever had a bicycle stolen? And have you ever seen it again? Countless thefts are reported to the police every year – but to this day there is no trace of the perpetrators. So it is hardly surprising why more and more people rely on mobile alarm systems. Even with her bike.
Although the number of bicycle thefts in Germany has fallen slightly, the resulting damage continues to increase. This is partly due to the fact that more and more people are buying expensive bikes: E-bikes in particular are currently particularly popular. The right bike lock should prevent quick theft, but they usually don’t really act as a deterrent – in contrast to a mobile alarm system, which is supposed to unmask the potential thief with the help of a loud signal tone. We present three different models in different price ranges.
Bicycle alarm system: three models in comparison
1. Fosmon alarm system
This waterproof model is simply attached anywhere on the bike, preferably on a clean surface: you either need an adhesive (included) or you use cable ties for installation. The mobile alarm system is activated via a remote control, which you can use to set seven different levels of sensitivity. The device then reacts to vibrations or movements with an alarm signal of 113 decibels. Here you can get the system from Fosmon.
2. Abus alarm system
Significantly more expensive to buy offers the Bicycle alarm system from Abus a so-called “3D Position Detection” – in other words, the sensors contained in it detect even the smallest vibrations in all three dimensions. The small box is attached using shortenable metal straps, which are included in the scope of delivery. If someone tries to steal the bike, a signal sounds at a volume of 100 decibels, which is about the same as a circular saw. The alarm is activated at the touch of a button and deactivated with a key.
3. Alarm system from M-Wave
This alarm system is installed on the bike by means of a pipe attachment. A three-digit code must then be entered to activate the device – here, too, different levels of sensitivity can be set. The integrated motion sensor sounds an alarm as soon as someone tries to steal the bike. Equipped with 120 decibels, the warning signal is extremely loud and deters thieves. Here you get the system from M-Wave.
Volume: what is behind the decibels?
To better understand how loud an alarm signal is, you can find information about the volume unit decibel (dB) in the following table:
Sound level (dB) | sound source: |
30dB | whisper |
60dB | normal conversation/lawn mower (10 m distance) |
80dB | edge of a traffic road (5 m) |
100dB | circular saw, discotheque |
140dB | plane launch |
So you see that one Bicycle alarm system is extremely loud at over 100 decibels when it emits a warning signal. In other words, not only the thief hears the alarm, but also one or the other neighbor. Ideally, a thief quickly lets go of the bike and disappears quickly – without a bike.
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