Lyon Brand VEFAA Unveils Anti-Theft E-Bike Technology at Paris Show
PARIS – French electric bike manufacturer VEFAA, a relative newcomer to teh cycling scene, has introduced a novel anti-theft system that harnesses the bike’s own energy to immobilize it. The company showcased the technology at the Vélo in Paris 2025 show, drawing attention from industry experts and potential consumers alike.
“Good luck to thieves who are trying to seize it,” Roc Clays, the founder of VEFAA, proclaimed, highlighting the system’s intended effect.
The VEFAA “Parcours” e-bike, already known for its regenerative braking capabilities, boasts a more pleasant ride, thanks to a suspended SUNTOUR XCM34 fork with 100 mm of travel and Schwalbe tires designed for rough terrain. According to VEFAA, the bike’s software ecosystem and security features are provided by Ebike Labs.
the innovative security function is activated when the bike is turned off using a remote control mounted on the handlebars. Once engaged, if a thief attempts to tamper with the bike, it becomes nearly unfeasible to move.Ebike Labs, founded by maël Bosson, developed the ebikeOS, an operating system for electric bikes protected by multiple patented technologies. These technologies power automatic assistance informed by 100 calculations per second, regenerative braking, and hill start capabilities.
According to VEFAA, the anti-theft system works by reversing the energy generated by pedaling when the battery is removed.”If you remove the bicycle battery and want to pedal without, you create energy by pedaling. And the more you send potato to the pedals, the more the bike blocks you,” Clays explained.
If the battery is still installed, the system utilizes its power to create an electromagnetic block, making it even more challenging to move the bike. “When there is the battery, we use the energy of the battery to block the bike,” Clays said.
While a determined thief might attempt to carry the 55+ pound bike away, the weight presents a notable obstacle. To unlock the bike for legitimate use,the owner simply enters a code.
The Tecno version of the VEFAA “Parcours,” equipped with this anti-theft technology, retails for 2,699 euros (approximately $2,900 USD).
E-Bike Theft on the Rise in the U.S.
The introduction of VEFAA’s anti-theft e-bike comes when e-bike theft is a growing concern in the United States. Cities like New York,Los Angeles,and San Francisco have reported increases in e-bike thefts in recent years,prompting calls for enhanced security measures.
While GPS tracking devices and robust locks remain popular deterrents, VEFAA’s energy-blocking system offers a unique approach to preventing theft. Its automated nature and reliance on the bike’s power source could prove to be a powerful disincentive for would-be thieves.
Addressing the “Carry Away” Argument
some critics argue that VEFAA’s system only prevents riding the bike, not carrying it away. While it is indeed true that a determined individual could attempt to carry the bike, the weight of the “Parcours” e-bike makes this a challenging prospect. Moreover,a thief carrying a heavy e-bike in public is more likely to attract attention,increasing their risk of apprehension.
FAQ: VEFAA E-Bike Anti-Theft System
Q: How does the VEFAA anti-theft system work?
A: the system uses the bike’s own energy, either from pedaling or the battery, to create a powerful braking effect, making it nearly impossible to move the bike.
Q: Is the anti-theft system automatic?
A: Yes, the system activates automatically when the bike is turned off using the remote control.
Q: What happens if the thief removes the bike’s battery?
A: If the battery is removed, the system uses the energy generated from pedaling to activate the braking mechanism.
Q: Can the bike be carried away?
A: While it is possible to carry the bike, its weight (over 55 pounds) makes this a difficult and conspicuous undertaking.
Q: How is the anti-theft system deactivated?
A: The system is deactivated by entering a code at the start of the bicycle.
