In France, there are currently more than 20 million bicycles on the road. However, this impressive number comes with a somewhat alarming statistic: 500,000 little queens are stolen every year, which is about one per minute. This issue affects one-third of users across the country, and it's even worse in the capital, where one in two people report having been a victim. So, are there any solutions to protect ourselves?
A Risk to Consider
We know that biking in Paris is not without its risks, and there are various reasons for this. We could discuss road sharing, a hot topic since the death of Paul Varry late last year. There's also the constant bickering between pedestrians and bike enthusiasts. On top of that, the Cyclists who don’t respect anything at all, not even when it comes to their own community, or the increasing difficulties in finding a place to lock up their bikes in the streets of the city, and you’ll have a lovely overview.
Vol de vélo en direct à Paris capturé par un influenceur pro-vélo parisien!
— toad leap (@toad_leap) February 8, 2025
Faites attention à votre vélo à Belleville et utilisez un bon U et non un câble boyau. pic.twitter.com/qpUVeSHYxk
Yet, one of the biggest fears of bike commuters is, and will always be, the constant worry of having their beloved bike stolen. And apparently, according to a recent study conducted by Invoxia, they have every reason to be concerned, since half of Parisian bike owners report that they have already been victims of theft. Notably, half of these incidents occur in private spaces (like parking lots and secured areas) – proving that it doesn't just happen out on the streets – and 65% involve electric bikes (e-bikes).
When Will I See You Again, Wonderful Bike?
First and foremost, we want to be honest with you, if tomorrow, your dear bike
🇫🇷 Paris : Un ingénieur arrêté en flagrant délit alors qu’il volait un vélo. Il ne s’attendait visiblement pas à être pris sur le fait. #PSGInter pic.twitter.com/lKYSBWUIbw
— Wolf 🐺 (@PsyGuy007) June 1, 2025
Next, beyond the police, it's important to highlight that in the vast majority of cases (70% to be precise), victims do not report the crime, and that, of course, doesn't help much. Especially since this means that, in cases where the bike is recovered by the police, they are then unable to return it to its owner due to the lack of a report. Luckily, there are a few little tips to improve the situation.
Better safe than sorry
Well, the first thing to do to protect yourself from theft is, of course, to invest in quality locks. It's not a guarantee, certainly, as in nearly half of the cases, the incidents happen even when the bike is locked. But it still discourages theft!
a little bit. And some are definitely more effective than others, like the one we mentioned right here, which has a very special feature.Next, choose wisely where to leave your bike. For example, find a spot next to a much nicer and more expensive bike than yours (it’s a bit of a sneaky trick, but it works). Or you can opt from the start for a vintage bike, not too pretty, without electric assistance, that helps too. Finally, don’t hesitate to check out the velhome map, which references a number of bike thefts. It allows you to see the most targeted neighborhoods, as well as report the disappearance of yours if needed.
J’ai failli acheter un antivol plus cher que mon vélo ou qu’un Paris - Lisbonne. Comme c’est du vol a ce prix la je ne l’ai pas acheté. pic.twitter.com/gJzCVu0pG1
— Moniki Beloutcha (@MonikiBeloutcha) June 22, 2023
To wrap things up, and this is probably one of the best tips, don't hesitate to get a GPS tracker. It will not only help you spot any suspicious movement of your ride but also make it easier to find in case it gets stolen. And with that, it's quite magical—the recovery and return rate of our little queens exceeds 70%! So there you go, we hope that this will help you a bit, because let's not forget that, despite these inconveniences, the bike remains, by far, the best way to get around in Paris!
