Family loses e-bike on motorway – police are looking for the owner!

Family loses e-bike on motorway – police are looking for the owner!

A family from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania recently lost an expensive e-bike, and the story is an interesting example of what can happen on our highways. On August 17, 2025, her Diamant brand e-bike, which is worth between 2,000 and 3,000 euros, fell from the car's bike rack while driving on Autobahn 19 between Wittstock and Röbel. The family did not notice the loss while driving, but an alert driver was luckier. He braked, got the e-bike off the road and informed the motorway police in Brandenburg. Northern Courier reports that the police then secured the e-bike and launched a search call.

A few days after the incident, the owner contacted us and the family was finally able to pick up their e-bike from the motorway police in Walsleben, near Neuruppin. According to a police statement, the identification number on the bicycle was not sufficient to determine its origin at the scene. The e-bike is not only beige, but also equipped with black bike bags and a black Römer brand child seat, which makes it easier to identify. Police stress that proof of ownership is required for release, which may be of interest to many considering how to secure their possessions. Brandenburg police reports provides helpful information on this.

Bicycle thefts in context

A look at the current bicycle theft situation shows that high-quality e-bikes and Pedelecs are popular targets for thieves. In 2023, over 62,000 bicycles were reported stolen in North Rhine-Westphalia, representing a decrease of 27.7 percent compared to ten years ago. Nevertheless, the amount of damage has increased as perpetrators are becoming more brazen and professional. High-quality e-bikes in particular are targeted by thieves who use increasingly sophisticated tools to cut through locks in seconds. WDR highlights that it is essential to invest in good locks, ideally 10 percent of the purchase price. Coding bicycles can also help protect them from theft.

To increase the safety of your own bikes, experts recommend locking the bike to a fixed object and securing at least one wheel. Stiftung Warentest also recommends robust U-locks that are specifically resistant to battery-flex attacks. A bike passport can also be helpful to clearly identify the bike, both by the frame number and by special features. It is also noted that modern technology such as GPS trackers can also increase the chances of getting a stolen bike back.

The story of this family who lost their e-bike on the highway reminds us that even the safest places are not immune to unexpected events. But it also shows how important it is to be vigilant and to act in a timely manner in order to avoid or at least make up for losses.