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Video duration:
3 mins
Véligo, electric bikes offered by the Île-de-France region, are now the target of thieves. The 20 Hours teams investigated this new scourge.
On the cycle paths of the capital, there are dozens of electric bikes costing several thousand euros. They are sometimes offered for long-term rental. For several months, they have become the target of thieves and fuel ever-increasing resale traffic. A user paid the price. “I left it for 1h30 (…)we came back with a friend who told me: ‘There is no longer your Véligo.’ And indeed, he was no longer there.”says the cyclist.
Batteries on the black market
Offered by the Île-de-France region to encourage soft mobility, these bikes are rented for nine months and can be permanently located thanks to a GPS chip. In recent months, thieves have found a solution. On the Internet, a quick search can find several dozen ads all illegal.
The teams of 20 Heures poses as buyers. The bike is priced at 450 euros, 4 times cheaper than its equivalent on the market. The sale takes place in broad daylight in full view of everyone. According to the seller, there is no risk. He explains that he removed the GPS tracker. Batteries are also part of a traffic. Although prohibited for professionals, these bikes are widely used by delivery people. Some do not hesitate to obtain additional batteries on the black market.