Do you park your electric cargo bike or fat bike at the station? If possible, choose a secure parking area. If one isn’t available, park your bike in a busy, well-lit spot, use at least two locks, and secure one of them to something firmly anchored to the ground. A GPS tracker is an extra layer of security on top of those locks—it’s not a replacement for them. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on what to look out for.
What should you look for when choosing a parking spot?
The location plays a major role in determining how easy it is for a thief to steal your bike. The police recommend using a secured bike rack if one is nearby. If that’s not possible, choose a busy spot with good lighting (source: politie.nl).
Secure parking: the top choice
To find out exactly how security works at a monitored bike parking facility, it’s best to check with the facility at your station. For a commuter who leaves their bike there for hours every workday, a secure bike rack is a logical choice. Just be sure to lock your bike as usual. Security staff won’t lock it for you.
Find a spot for large bicycles
Due to its size, a cargo bike does not fit in every standard bike rack. Some bike parking facilities have separate spaces for larger bikes. At the Dordrecht station bike parking facility, these are the spots on the ground floor designated for cargo bikes, bikes with a front crate, scooters, and mopeds. ProRail reported that those spots filled up quickly because travelers were parking regular bicycles and e-bikes there. As a result, large bicycles ended up outside the racks and designated areas, where they fell over (source: ProRail).
That applies to a single bike rack, but the lesson has broader applications. Check where the spaces for large bikes are at your station and allow for some extra time if they might fill up during rush hour. A cargo bike left standing loose between the racks can tip over and is harder to secure properly.
Unattended? Choose light and people
If you have to park your bike outside, don’t choose the quiet corner behind the bike shed. Park your bike where people walk by and where it stays well-lit even after sunset. Also keep your return trip in mind: if you won’t be back until evening, the lighting at that time is what matters.
Which combination of locks works on a daily basis?
Two locks, each with its own function, are more practical than a single, very heavy lock. The police recommend securing your bike with at least two locks as a basic rule. Lock your bike to a bike rack, pole, or something else that’s firmly anchored to the ground so it can’t be lifted and carried away. Attach the extra lock as high as possible, because that makes it harder to cut through (police.com).
- Step 1: On the bike itself. You can lock this in just a few seconds, even if you're in a hurry to catch your train.
- Lock 2: to a fixed point. A chain lock or folding lock around the frame and rack. According to the police, choose a lock made of hardened steel, such as one with an ART or MBT certification.
For a cargo bike, that second lock requires a bit of planning. Not every rack or pole is accessible from the frame. Test at home beforehand to see how long your chain needs to be to wrap around both the frame and the anchor point. You can read more about the different types of locks in Which locks are effective against e-bike theft?. You can find compatible locks at the accessories.
Does your bike have an immobilizer with a PIN code? Exactly how it works and what it does and doesn’t prevent varies by system. Therefore, check with the manufacturer or in your bike’s manual. In any case, don’t view an immobilizer as a replacement for your locks. You can read more about this consideration in Immobilizer vs. Lock.
What's the point of a GPS tracker in a place with lots of bikes?
A tracker won't prevent theft, but it can help you see where your bike is going if the worst does happen. Among hundreds of bikes at a station, a single missing bike won't stand out. If the tracker transmits location data, that can help with the search and with the information you provide to the police.
A case from August 2026 demonstrated how this can work in practice. In Zoutelande, a bicycle was stolen from the beach. The owner was able to track the bicycle using a GPS tracker and relayed the locations to the police. The officers found the bicycle in a van and arrested a suspect (source: politie.nl). That's just one example and no guarantee that things will always turn out that way. It does, however, show the value of a tracker: real-time location data that you can act on quickly.
Do you ride an STOER? Then find out how to track your bike in E-bike GPS tracker: Track your bike using the STOER app.
What do you do if there's no secure parking?
At smaller stations, secure bike parking isn’t always available. In that case, check to see if there’s a bike locker. According to NS, at many small stations without secure bike parking, you can rent a bike locker with an annual subscription. You’ll receive your own key, and your bike will be kept dry and out of sight, day and night. There’s no daily rental option, and if all the lockers are rented out, you’ll be placed on a waiting list (source: NS).
A note for cargo bike riders: NS states that the lockers are not suitable for motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. It does not specify whether a cargo bike will fit inside. Be sure to measure first. The CargoX alone has a cargo box measuring 100 by 70 cm, so be sure to check the locker’s dimensions before signing up for a subscription. You can compare the models at All STOER bikes.
What if a safe doesn't fit or the waiting list is full? In that case, the basic rules still apply:
- Choose the busiest, best-lit spot near the entrance;
- Always lock your bike to a fixed object, not just to the kickstand;
- Use your second lock high on the frame;
- Don't leave anything behind in the bin or in a bag.
Your Station Checklist for Every Workday
Make it part of your regular routine, and your daily check will stay short and straightforward:
- Store it in the secure parking area or in your safe, if possible.
- Is your cargo bike parked in a space for large bikes, rather than just anywhere between the racks?
- Is lock 1 closed, and is lock 2 positioned high around the frame and the fixed point?
- Is the immobilizer active if your bike has one?
- Are his bags, loose items, and rain cover safely stowed away or brought along?
- Is your tracker charged and active?
Would you like a more comprehensive list of all the places where you can leave your bike during the day? If so, use the E-bike Theft Checklist for Everyday Use.
If things do go wrong
Locks secure your bike, but they don’t prevent theft. A tracker can help you locate your bike after it’s been stolen. So make sure to keep a record of what you need at home: proof of purchase, the frame number, and a few photos of your bike. Does your bike not have a frame number? According to the police, you can have a RAI number installed at a bike shop; be sure to bring your proof of purchase.
If you leave your bike at the station every day, be sure to check your insurance coverage. The STOER bicycle insurance offers replacement-value coverage, no deductible in the event of theft, and 24/7 assistance. Check which locks and terms apply to your policy so you can adjust your routine accordingly.
Not sure which locks or tracker are right for your bike and your commute? Then stop by the locks and accessories. That way, you'll be able to board the train tomorrow with your bike securely fastened.
