After the spread of the new coronavirus, more and more people are using bicycles to avoid contact with people, but on the other hand, the batteries used in electrically power assisted bicycles are being stolen one after another.

By August, there were 218 cases of damage in Tokyo, and the Metropolitan Police Department and others are calling attention.

The number of electrically power assisted bicycles sold was about 737,000 last year, the highest ever, and has increased 2.1 times in 10 years, and more people are using it for commuting and shopping to avoid crowding due to corona damage. I am.



Batteries are attached to electrically power assisted bicycles, but the damage caused by being stolen from the stopped bicycles has been one after another, and 218 damages have been confirmed in Tokyo by the end of August.



This is 124 more cases than the same period last year, which is significantly higher than the number of damages 148 cases in the last year.



If you purchase a battery regularly, it costs about 30,000 to 40,000 yen, and since it is a consumable item, you need to replace it in about 3 to 4 years.

It seems that most of the stolen batteries are sold online for about 1,000 to 20,000 yen, and the suspect arrested in June said, "If you sell it on a major flea market app, it will sell like a fly. It means that he stated.



Police and security experts are calling for you to remove the battery and store it in your house when you stop your bicycle for a long time, or attach a wire to prevent theft.

The victim is

A woman in her 50s living in Adachi-ku, Tokyo bought an electrically power assisted bicycle last year and frequently uses it to avoid the use of crowded public transportation since the spread of the new coronavirus.



This month, I went to my daughter's house by bicycle and parked on the street in front of the house until the next day, but only the battery was removed and it was gone.



The woman said, "I've heard that the battery is stolen, but I was surprised that it would really hurt. Once I got used to the power-assisted bicycle, it was so easy to move and I could go out easily, so the battery was stolen. I was in great trouble when I couldn't ride a bicycle. "



The woman later bought a new battery, saying, "It's a shock to have some of the bicycles stolen, which are full of memories I used when I went out to play with my daughter and grandchildren. I want you to return it properly. "

Arrested

Police are increasing vigilance and some have been arrested in response to the increasing damage caused by the theft of batteries in electrically power assisted bicycles.



In June, a suspect in his 40s was arrested for stealing batteries from two electrically power assisted bicycles parked in a bicycle parking lot in an apartment complex in Koto Ward, Tokyo.



According to the Metropolitan Police Department, "I saw a battery listed on the flea market app and stole it because I wanted to do it. If I sell the stolen battery for 10,000 to 20,000 yen, it sells like a fly. It means that he stated.



He also suspected that he had stolen about 20 other batteries, and he lived on the money he sold.

Increased damage

The number of electrically power assisted bicycles sold reached about 737,000 in the last year, the highest ever.



It has increased 2.1 times in the last 10 years, and more people are using it for commuting and shopping to avoid crowding due to corona damage.



We asked users about the damage caused by battery theft.



A 38-year-old woman with children aged 1 and 4 said, "I use it every day because it's convenient to carry two children to and from the neighborhood. I calculate the time to travel by electric bicycle and go home. I'm out, so I'm in trouble if the battery runs out. "



A 65-year-old woman said, "When climbing a hill, an electric bicycle is convenient because it can be run smoothly with a single stroke. I am considering locking the battery."



A 62-year-old man said, "I have a bad leg, but with an electrically power assisted bicycle, I can easily run long distances without having to step hard, so my range of activities is expanded. I will. "

Consultation with bicycle dealers one after another

In response to the damage caused by the theft of the batteries of electrically power assisted bicycles, bicycle dealers are also consulting one after another.



At stores in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo that sell a lot of electrically power assisted bicycles, the number of inquiries from customers has increased sharply since last month, and we have put up a sticker to call attention to the store and introduced security goods such as wires that connect batteries and bicycles. doing.



According to the store, the demand has increased so much that even if the products are purchased, they are sold out immediately.



Yuma Yamazaki, general manager of the dealer, said, "It may be troublesome, but it is safe to remove the battery when stopping the bicycle and have it stored in the house etc. If it is difficult to go out, do not remove the battery. I want you to take thorough measures, such as buying special equipment for bicycles. "