Estarli has teamed up with BackPedal to offer an e-bike theft recovery service. Estarli Cycle Security, which can now be added to any bike purchase, combines built-in tracking technology with a “robust” recovery service with the offer of a replacement bike if the stolen bike cannot be returned to the owner.

“We want people to feel more confident buying an Estarli,” said co-founder Alex Francis. “And I guess we want to do our bit to deter thieves.”

The initiative involves new bikes being fitted with discreet, custom-designed trackers at Estarli’s factory in Hertfordshire. If the bike is then taken, BackPedal’s agents will head out to retrieve it.

Factory meeting
Factory meeting (Image Credit: Estarli)

As we’ve previously reported, BackPedal’s service is built around a “boots on the ground” approach thanks to a network of retired police officers, military veterans and security professionals. The firm says it has an 80 per cent recovery rate.

Estarli co-founder, Oliver Francis, said: “Our frustration with bike crime is something we share with current and potential customers. It’s a problem we’ve wanted to help tackle for a long time.

“The recent launch of our more commuter-focused ‘X-range’ of belt-driven bikes accelerated the process, and we’re glad customers can now get trackers fitted to any Estarli. Perhaps more importantly, they can benefit from BackPedal’s excellent recovery and replacement service.”

> Review: Estarli e28.X

“Installing trackers at the factory is an absolute no-brainer,” explained BackPedal founder, James Dunn. “It’s essentially the gold standard in making sure they’re really well hidden and secure.”

According to Dunn, most bike recoveries end up relatively straightforward.

Estarli e28.x v e28.9 (5).JPG
Estarli e28.x v e28.9 (5) (Image Credit: Richard Peace)

“I won’t call them ‘thieves’, but the people we track down tend to hand the bike over without too much fuss,” he said.

“The usual response is that they bought or rented it from a ‘friend’ – it’s clear they’ve never previously been confronted like this before. What we believe it highlights is that the system is working – and our thousands of successful recoveries should be acting as a deterrent against future bike theft.”

Estarli Cycle Security will cost £300 for the first year and £21 a month thereafter for folders and e28s. It’ll be a little more expensive for the Estarli E-Cargo Longtail at £395 for the first year and £31 a month thereafter.

> Review: Estarli E-Cargo Longtail

Estarli says the service will also soon be extended to existing customers via retrofitted trackers.

For more information visit estarli.co.uk