TL;DR
Bosch will let owners flag their e-bikes as stolen inside the Bosch Flow app, rolling out at the end of January. Marked bikes will be blocked from app connections and updates, and will trigger warnings across Bosch’s ecosystem for buyers, dealers, service centers and authorities.
What happened
Bosch announced a no-cost anti-theft option that lets owners report an e-bike as stolen via the Bosch Flow smartphone app. Once marked, the bike is flagged across Bosch’s eBike Systems digital ecosystem: attempts to connect to the bike through the Flow app will produce a theft warning for prospective buyers and authorities, and dealers see the flag when they plug into the bike with Bosch diagnostic tools. Flagged bikes are prevented from connecting to the Flow app, will not receive over-the-air firmware updates, and riders cannot change riding modes. Bosch framed the system as a way to make reselling stolen machines difficult and to raise the chances owners recover their bikes. The company had introduced a similar theft-identification capability for its higher-priced batteries previously, but that earlier battery feature required a paid Flow Plus subscription.
Why it matters
- Makes stolen e-bikes harder to resell by showing a theft warning to anyone who connects via official Bosch software.
- Creates friction for thieves and second‑hand buyers, which could reduce the appeal of stealing bikes built around Bosch motors.
- Alerts both service centers and authorities when a flagged bike is accessed through Bosch tools, potentially aiding recovery efforts.
- Being offered without a subscription widens access for owners and tightens protections across Bosch’s digital ecosystem.
Key facts
- The feature becomes available at the end of January.
- Owners can mark an e-bike as stolen inside the Bosch Flow app.
- No subscription is required to use the stolen-bike flag for e-bikes.
- Flagged e-bikes trigger warnings for buyers and authorities when those parties attempt to connect via the Flow app.
- Dealers receive theft warnings in Bosch diagnostic software when connecting to a flagged bike.
- Bikes marked as stolen are blocked from connecting to the Flow app.
- Flagged bikes will not receive over-the-air (OTA) updates from Bosch.
- Riders of flagged bikes cannot switch riding modes.
- Bosch previously added a similar theft-identification feature for some batteries, but that required a paid Flow Plus subscription.
What to watch next
- Real-world effectiveness at reducing resale and enabling recoveries once the feature is widely active — not confirmed in the source.
- How quickly law enforcement and second‑hand marketplaces adapt to Bosch’s warning system — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether thieves find technical workarounds or ways to remove the flag — not confirmed in the source.
- If Bosch expands the no-cost flagging to other components or integrates with broader tracking services — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Bosch Flow app: A smartphone application from Bosch used by e-bike owners to manage settings, connect to the bike, and access digital services.
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates: Remote software or firmware updates delivered wirelessly to a device without requiring a physical connection.
- Diagnostic software: Tools used by dealers and technicians to interface with a vehicle or device to check status, run diagnostics, and perform maintenance.
- Digital ecosystem: Interconnected software, services, and devices that share data and functions within a single vendor’s platform.
Reader FAQ
How does an owner report a stolen Bosch e-bike?
Owners mark the bike as stolen inside the Bosch Flow app.
Do I need to pay a subscription to use the stolen-bike feature?
No — the new e-bike stolen‑flag feature does not require a subscription.
Will flagged bikes still receive software updates or allow changes to riding modes?
No — flagged bikes are blocked from connecting to the Flow app, won’t get OTA updates, and riders can’t switch riding modes.
Will police be automatically notified when a bike is flagged?
The source says authorities receive a warning when they attempt to connect to a flagged bike, but automatic notification procedures are not confirmed in the source.
TECH TRANSPORTATION CES This free feature helps make stolen Bosch e-bikes unsellable Buyers, service centers, and authorities will be alerted when connecting to a stolen e-bike. by Thomas Ricker Jan…
Sources
- This free feature helps make stolen Bosch e-bikes unsellable
- Bosch's new app feature could deter ebike thieves
- Bosch Making Stolen eBikes Unsellable with Digital Theft …
- Bosch adds 'marked stolen' eBike Flow app functionality
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