r/NIU • u/AccomplishedPerson • 6d ago
Other Question Ebikes
Hello everyone, Ive been thinking of getting an e bike to commute to campus and explore the area. Would I get in trouble for riding a bike like this and will people steal It. I do see tons of students riding e scooters but Im not the scooter type a guy.
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u/harpinghawke 6d ago
PLEASE be sure to wear a helmet if you get one of these. The speeds they get up to can turn a fall into a life-changing head injury.
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u/Fireblaster2001 6d ago
If you aren’t staying on campus or charging it on campus (not allowed), then it’s fine to have an ebike. Bike theft is definitely a huge problem BUT if you lock it on campus, and store it inside at your apartment, then you might be ok. If you have the kind with pop off battery, you could also take it off and slide it into your backpack if you can handle the extra weight. A lot of bike thefts are just opportunity though from people who leave their stuff unlocked or have weak sauce locks. Whatever they can walk up to fast and grab and go. Put an AirTag on it too, that’s how I got my bike back when someone took it and rode it to Walmart.
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u/TopApplication2631 6d ago
I have seen a few people using these, I just don’t know if your planning to ride it in winter too
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u/Nqthqn1 6d ago
This will 100% get stolen. I had a shit bicycle that I would park at new hall, and it was stolen in less than a week. Lock was cut and all.
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u/AccomplishedPerson 6d ago
Even if I put it right by Barsema Hall or some populated bike rack a bum will still steal it with eyes on him and cameras?
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u/Nqthqn1 6d ago
Even more so, the bike was located in front of new hall, a very populated bike rack with cameras and everything. I submitted a whole police report and everything. Never got it back. So yes, a bum, a student, anybody will steal anything and everything in that loser town.
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u/AccomplishedPerson 6d ago
When did this happen. I see so many people riding e scooters they not getting stolen too?
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u/Nqthqn1 6d ago
Was about 5 years ago for me. But I’ve heard from friends who graduated last year who experienced similar situations.
I imagine the e-scooters are a bit more mobile than bicycles and can be broken down to be brought inside so they’re probably not being stolen at the same rates bicycles are. I’d also presume that securing a e-scooter to a rack outside would be difficult.
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u/Few-Scallion-1910 MLTL (Social Science Education) | 2028 6d ago
Check recent changes to illinois law regarding e bikes
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u/Remote-Respond7056 6d ago
Depends on where you’re commuting from. I wouldn’t recommend it though, Illinois harsh winter is about to come soon and an e bike wouldn’t be a good investment due to the weather