Bavarian police use GPS-equipped lock bikes to prevent bicycle theft

In the fight against bicycle thefts, the Bavarian police take different approaches: In the Upper Palatinate, for example, officers use lock bikes that are equipped with GPS transmitters. They have been in operation for around five months - five suspects have been arrested so far.

As the Upper Palatinate Presidium announced, thieves targeted the prepared bikes in eight cases. In six cases the lock wheels were completely stolen. In another case, parts were removed. And in one case, the security lock was opened, but the bicycle was left at the scene. The perpetrator was probably disturbed.

Suspect in custody

The police were able to catch five suspects using GPS tracking. This confirmed the previous findings about the perpetrator structure, it went on to say: The suspects are often assigned to the narcotics scene. But there are also perpetrators who operate nationwide. A 47-year-old is suspected of having stolen two lock bikes, one in Weiden and one in the Schwandorf district. The man has been in custody since mid-June.

Experience to date has shown that the use of the special wheels offers an “effective” investigative approach, the police headquarters said.

This is how many bicycle thefts the police record

According to the Interior Ministry, police in Bavaria registered 20,233 cases of bicycle theft last year. This also includes cases of people who used a bicycle that did not belong to them. Compared to 2024, the number of cases fell by 2,972 cases. The individual police headquarters therefore each pursue their own concepts to combat bicycle thefts.

As the Lower Franconia Police Headquarters said, they are currently examining the concept of GPS bikes and want to clarify how implementation can be successful. A spokesman for the Lower Bavarian police said that such bikes were not currently being used, but that they were examining them because this would be “a good, additional option” in the fight against bicycle theft.

Not all strategies are made public

According to the presidiums, there are currently no concrete plans for prevention bikes in the Upper Franconia and Middle Franconia area. A spokesman for the Upper Bavaria South Police Headquarters said that the police are using various options in the fight against bicycle thieves. However, no further details are given about the specific procedure “for tactical reasons”.

The Upper Bavaria North Police Headquarters is currently not using any prevention bikes. It was said that the further development of the project in Upper Palatinate was being followed. There is an exchange with colleagues there and the other presidiums: “Based on the experience gained there, an assessment should then be made for the local area of ​​responsibility as to whether and in what form the use of appropriate prevention bicycles is sensible and effective.”

In the area of ​​the Swabia South/West police headquarters there is currently no need to purchase the prevention bikes, as a spokesman announced. The number of bicycle thefts is declining. But if there are more thefts again, we will react - possibly with lock wheels.