Apparently, using a cover while it's locked up can significantly reduce theft.
This is the strategy that "Cargo bike momma" uses with her cargo bike, in New York City... and she's a professor of criminology, so I trust her judgment when it comes to these things! LOL
Yup. It causes the bike to blend into the surroundings, so it's not as noticeable. But it creates a barrier that thieves just don't want to deal with.
The covers thatI have even feature large grommets for your lock or a chain to go through. You couldn't even peek under the cover to see what's there, unless you removed the lock.