VanMoof security: how well is a VanMoof protected against theft?

A beautiful e-bike is something you want to leave in the city with confidence. Especially in a city like Amsterdam, where bike theft is a genuine concern. VanMoof takes a different approach from many traditional bicycle brands. Security isn’t just about a lock, but about a combination of smart features designed to deter theft and help you recover your bike if it does get stolen.

From the well-known Kick Lock and built-in alarm to Apple Find My and advanced theft tracking, a VanMoof can offer several layers of security, depending on the model. On the latest VanMoof S6, these features have been developed even further and increasingly work together as one integrated anti-theft system.

But how well does all of this work? And can you actually find your VanMoof if it gets stolen? We take a closer look at the most important security features.

What security features does a VanMoof have?

VanMoof combines mechanical and digital security. The idea is simple: a bike shouldn’t just be difficult to take, it should also be difficult to use and possible to locate if someone does manage to steal it.

The available features vary by generation. The VanMoof S6, VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5 feature a Kick Lock, motion alarm, Bluetooth, Apple Find My support and built-in tracking technology, among other security features. Older models such as the VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3 also include various smart security features, although tracking capabilities differ between generations.

On the VanMoof S6, the anti-theft system consists of several layers of security that complement each other. Rather than relying on a single strong lock, the system is designed around what happens before, during and after a potential theft.

How does the VanMoof Kick Lock work?

The Kick Lock is probably VanMoof’s most recognisable security feature. Instead of using a separate frame lock, there is a button next to the rear wheel. Simply position the rear wheel correctly and press the Kick Lock with your foot.

This locks the rear wheel and activates the bike’s security system at the same time. On the VanMoof S6, this also activates the alarm and electronically disables the bike.

The main advantage is something you notice in everyday use. Stopping for a coffee, popping into a shop or leaving your bike outside the office takes hardly any extra effort.

That convenience doesn’t mean you should never secure your VanMoof to a fixed object. Especially if you leave the bike in a public place for a longer period, an additional lock can provide an extra layer of protection.

In a separate article, we’ll take a closer look at how the VanMoof Kick Lock works and how secure it is in practice.

What happens if someone tries to steal your VanMoof?

This is where the difference compared with a traditional bike lock becomes more noticeable. When a locked VanMoof is moved, its built-in motion alarm can respond.

On the VanMoof S6, the alarm starts relatively subtly and becomes more noticeable if someone continues tampering with the bike. The idea is that an accidental touch doesn’t immediately trigger the loudest alarm, while continued movement is recognised as a potential theft attempt.

With Ride Pro, alarm notifications can also be sent to your phone. The VanMoof S6 can also be remotely disabled and offers more precise tracking capabilities.

So a thief isn’t simply dealing with a locked rear wheel. The bike can sound an alarm, be electronically disabled and share its location.

Can you track a stolen VanMoof?

Yes. VanMoof uses several technologies that can help locate a stolen bike. Exactly how this works and which options are available depends on the VanMoof model and any additional services you use.

On the VanMoof S6, built-in theft tracking is activated when you report the bike as stolen in the VanMoof app. The bike can then share location data via the mobile network. Ride Pro adds more advanced tracking features, including location history and additional tools to help locate the bike when you are nearby.

VanMoof has also made tracking on the VanMoof S6 more precise than on previous generations. According to VanMoof, under favourable conditions in urban environments, the bike’s location can be determined to within less than five metres, although the actual deviation can be greater.

That can make a real difference in a densely built-up city. Knowing that your bike is somewhere in a neighbourhood is very different from being able to determine which building it is close to.

Does VanMoof support Apple Find My?

The VanMoof S6, VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5 support Apple Find My. Some VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3 models also support the feature; according to VanMoof, this applies to bikes produced from April 2021 onwards.

This allows you to locate your bike through Apple’s Find My network.

Apple Find My and VanMoof’s own theft tracking aren’t the same thing, however. They also cannot be active at the same time. VanMoof therefore recommends checking the bike’s last known position in Apple Find My first if your bike is stolen, before activating VanMoof Theft Tracking.

We’ll cover this in more detail in our guide to VanMoof and Apple Find My, including the differences between Apple Find My and VanMoof’s own tracking technology.

Can you remotely disable a stolen VanMoof?

An interesting additional layer of security is that a VanMoof can not only be tracked, but can also be electronically disabled.

When an eligible VanMoof is reported as stolen, motor assistance can be disabled and the unlock code deactivated. If the bike is then moved, the full alarm is activated.

Of course, that doesn’t prevent someone from physically lifting the bike into a van. But it does mean that taking the bike is very different from gaining a fully functional e-bike.

And that combination is an important part of VanMoof security: making it difficult to ride away, drawing attention to an attempted theft, making the bike harder to use and, ultimately, helping you locate it again.

Do you need an additional lock with the Kick Lock?

The Kick Lock is designed to be the VanMoof’s primary locking mechanism. VanMoof states that an additional lock isn’t necessary for the anti-theft system to function. According to VanMoof, an additional lock also isn’t required under the conditions of Theft Proof, provided that the Kick Lock and anti-theft system were correctly activated.

That said, we wouldn’t dismiss the value of an additional lock in every situation.

If you leave a VanMoof S6 outside for an entire working day or overnight, for example, securing it to a bike rack or another fixed object simply creates an additional physical barrier. A built-in system can make it difficult for a thief to ride away, but it cannot prevent someone from lifting the bike.

The right combination therefore mainly depends on where you leave your bike and for how long.

Which VanMoof has the most advanced security?

At the moment, the VanMoof S6 offers the most extensive security and tracking technology within the VanMoof range.

The VanMoof S5 and VanMoof A5 already offer a strong foundation, including the Kick Lock, alarm, Bluetooth, Apple Find My and tracking. The VanMoof S6 adds more precise location technology. With Ride Pro, additional features are available on the VanMoof S6, including Precision Tracking, location history and notifications when the bike is moved.

The differences are greater when compared with the VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3, particularly when it comes to current tracking capabilities.

If you’re trying to decide which model best suits the way you ride, it’s worth looking beyond security alone. Riding position, range and everyday usability are just as important. At RIDERS HUB, you can see and experience the different VanMoof models before making your choice.

So, how secure is a VanMoof?

No e-bike is impossible to steal. A VanMoof is no exception. The strength of VanMoof’s security system lies primarily in the different layers working together, making it harder for a single action by a thief to be enough.

The Kick Lock blocks the bike. The alarm draws attention to an attempted theft. Electronic security makes the bike more difficult to use normally. And if it is taken anyway, features such as Apple Find My and VanMoof’s own theft tracking can help you locate it.

On the VanMoof S6 in particular, these different elements are closely integrated. Security isn’t simply a feature you use when something goes wrong; it’s built into the everyday experience of using the bike.

As an official VanMoof brand dealer and VanMoof ambassador, RIDERS HUB receives plenty of questions about these exact features. In our upcoming articles, we’ll take a closer look at the Kick Lock, alarm, Apple Find My, theft tracking and the differences between the various VanMoof models. That way, you can understand not only which security features a VanMoof has, but more importantly, what they actually mean in everyday use.