Cycling is fun, cost-effective, environmental-friendly, convenient, but bicycle theft is a real and common problem you’ll face and find ways to prevent it. This is where bike alarms that are made to complement bike locks come in, but do bike alarms work?
Bike alarms work because they are made to supplement bike locks’ mechanical protection by triggering a continuous blaring alarm upon sensing vibrations. A bike alarm alerts the owner and passersby, creating unwanted attention that deters thieves from completing their mission.
A bike alarm lets you attend to other things in your life, knowing that your bicycle is secure. These alarms come in different forms and features, as you will see in this post.
However, before going further, consider the following bike alarms from Amazon if you are in a rush.
5 Best Anti Theft Alarm For Bikes
- Wsdcam 113dB Bike Alarm: Best Overall Bike Alarm
- G Keni Bike Anti-Theft Alarm: Best Bike Alarm with Tailight Properties
- ABUS Folding Lock Bordo : Most Durable Bike Alarm
- Mysbiker Alarm Disc Lock: Best Disk Brake Bike Alarm
- Onvian Bike Alarm: Best Multi-Function Bike Alarm
Let’s briefly look at the types of bike alarms.
Types Of Bicycle Alarm Systems
There are external and internal bike alarms.
1. Internal Bike Alarm System
In this variant, the lock and alarm are integrated into a single device. Therefore, a bicycle lock with an alarm is equipped with motion sensors to monitor all your bicycle’s movements continually.
Some of these alarms can be linked to a smartphone application to receive notifications directly to your phone.
The initial cost of getting an external bike alarm is lower than buying a bike lock with an alarm.
2. External Bike Alarms
This variant comprises mounting a bike alarm and bike lock separately. The ideal places to put one are under the saddle, under the porter, or on the handlebar.
It usually has a remote control or an additional transmitter that facilitates alarm operation and message issuance. You will need to carry it around so that you can react in case anything happens.
Does A Bicycle Alarm Work?- More Perspective.
It makes sense to find out how a bike alarm works when exploring the question, “do bike alarms work?” so how does it work?
A bicycle alarm works by picking up movements and vibrations through the sensors, generating a warning sound, and flashing the lights. If the disturbance persists, the alarm proceeds to the second phase by sounding a continuous loud sound while the lights continue flashing.
If there is no threat to your bicycle, you can turn off the alarm using the remote, through the app, fingerprint, or you can open the lock and enter the code, depending on your bike alarm model. It will also stop when the vibrations stop.
The sound of the alarm will alert and other individuals closeby that your bicycle is at risk of being stolen. Besides helping you react in time to stop the theft, the blaring sound brings attention to the bike and the thief, which is the last thing they need when trying to pull a robbery.
If the perpetrator succeeds in stealing your bike, you can track it using GPS. However, this is only possible if your bicycle alarm is GPS-enabled.
Some bicycle alarms are equipped with advanced features, such as lights and tracking, and Bluetooth capabilities. An excellent example is the G Keni Bike Tail Light Rechargeable, Anti-Theft Alarm, that has safety taillights.
G Keni also has a waterproof design, an electric horn, USB charging, and a theft-deterrent alarm that has remote deactivation and activation. You can find your bicycle through sound or light with the remote control covering up to 164 feet (50m).
Do Bike Alarms Deter Thieves?
Bike alarms deter thieves by sounding a loud, annoying, continuous sound that is a nuisance to the perpetrator. In addition, the sound alerts the owner and bystanders that someone is trying to vandalize or steal your bike, prompting an immediate reaction.
A bike alarm is an excellent deterrent to anybody trying to tamper or steal your bicycle or its accessories, whether the alarm is a stand-alone gear or integrated with a lock. They produce a loud noise, and some models light up to notify you of any unwanted movement and activity.
A bicycle lock alone is enough to discourage many bike thieves, so introducing a bicycle alarm raises your bike’s security levels when you park it.
Is A Bike Alarm Worth It?
A bike alarm is worth it because it helps you keep your bike secure by warding off thieves and vandals. Considering that a bicycle is a huge investment, deciding to get a bike alarm shouldn’t be tough, especially since it only costs a few bucks yet is pretty effective.
With it, you won’t constantly worry about losing your bicycle. Depending on the alarm you get, you can get notified on your phone in real-time about any incidences surrounding your bike.
A motion-sensing alarm can do you good, helping you find your bicycle where you left it and in one piece. A bike alarm is worthwhile regardless of where you ride or store your bicycle because even secure locks and storage aren’t unbreakable.
How To Choose The Best Bike Alarm
Bike alarms are not identical, so you need to examine your options critically to make sure you buy high-quality gear. To achieve that, you will need to consider volume and sound, durability, battery life, and other extra features.
1. Sound And Volume
The sound generated by the alarm is a feature you must account for as it needs to be loud enough to be heard clearly and distinct for you to recognize it.
Go for a bike alarm that produces at least 100 decibels, and don’t be scared to go much higher, particularly if you tend to park your bicycle at a considerable distance from you.
The sound needs to be noticeable; hence choose a high-pitched consistent alarm instead of one that beeps a couple of times then goes back to standby mode.
2. Durability
The best bike alarm doesn’t break easily. On the contrary, it can withstand the forces of harsh elements, such as rain, gravel, and rain.
Thieves and vandals will not easily destroy a long-lasting bike alarm, so it’s better to spend more on a durable alarm instead of a cheaper one that will break before it even sounds the alarm.
3. Battery
Since bicycles don’t generate electricity, your bike alarms will need a battery to run, and it should be long-lasting to ensure it doesn’t stop working when you require the protection most.
Some bike alarms can run on a single charge for weeks, while others will last even for a whole month under the right conditions. Long battery life means you won’t spend a lot of time charging your bike alarm.
4. Additional Features
The extra features you find in a bike alarm add more functionality to it. These features include electronic bells, GPS trackers, and emergency texting.
The features in bike alarms differ, so you need to figure out what you need an alarm to offer before buying. If a bike alarm is all you need, then the extra features aren’t essential.
However, if your budget allows and you’d rather have a complete package, then go for the additional features even if you won’t use them immediately, as they might be useful in the future.
FAQs
1. Are Bicycle Alarms Any Good?
Bicycle alarms are quite good because they strengthen your bike’s safety by scaring away thieves through the blaring sound. Also, an alarm with GPS tracking makes it possible to trace your bicycle’s location if it’s stolen.
Since no bike lock is flawless, a bike alarm is an excellent, cost-effective way to increase your bike’s security.
2. Can You Put An Alarm On A Bike?
You can put an alarm on your bike either as a stand-alone device or get a bike lock with an alarm. Doing so helps you maximize your bike’s security.
3. Where Should I Put My Bike Alarm?
Put your bike alarm on the handlebars, under the saddle, or the porter if you have an external alarm. On the other hand, an internal alarm is inconspicuous since it’s found in the bike lock.
4. Are Bicycle Alarms Effective?
Bicycle alarms are effective and discouraging bike thieves and bringing attention to an ongoing robbery attempt to the bike’s owner and people close by. They do this by detecting vibrations and movements through the motion sensors which trigger the alarm.
5. What Is The Best Bicycle Alarm?
Wsdcam 113dB Bike Alarm is the best alarm for your bicycle. It has 113 decibels, triggered by vibrations, is easy to attach to the frame, and has seven variable settings.
In Conclusion, Do Bike Alarms Work?
By now, you know bike alarms are effective and essential for protecting your priced asset. The gear is a must-have, especially if you spent a lot of money on your bicycle or depend on it to make your everyday commute.
It is generally easier for thieves to steal bikes with no alarms. For that reason, make it hard for them by investing in a bike alarm.
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