How to Keep Your Bike Secure

bikeregister

One of our members contacted us recently to report that their bike had been stolen. As well as the obvious inconvenience and financial cost associated with losing a bike, it can be very upsetting, particularly if it is stolen from your home.  However, the good news is there are steps that you can take to prevent the theft from occurring in the first place, and to increase the chances of being reunited with your bike in the event that it is stolen.

It is vital that you register your bike with an on-line database such as Bike Register or Immobilise.  The basic service is free and allows the police to check the frame number of any bike that is stolen and subsequently recovered to identify its owner.  You can pay to receive an electronic tag or tamper-resistant label with a unique QR code that can be scanned.  This can deter thieves from stealing the bike in the first place and alerts the police to check the database. You can also pay for permanent etching kits for additional piece of mind.

We would also recommend that you insure your bike(s). Low value bikes are often covered as part of household insurance policies when stored at home. However, you may need to increase your cover, or take out a separate policy to get cover outside the home, or to insure more expensive bikes. If you intend to take your bikes abroad, then you will need to check that your policy will cover this. Also, if you live in a block of flats with a communal bike store, it is worth checking that the bikes will be covered if left in these areas. You can use an on-line price comparison website to compare prices and cover.

Make sure that you take reasonable steps to secure your bike. Buy a good quality lock – preferably two. We recommend that you buy a lock with a Sold Secure Gold or Silver rating. D-locks are popular and can be used with extender chains. However, these locks can be heavy and cumbersome to carry, but there are alternatives available. For example, the HIPLOK is a heavy duty chain that loops around your waist. Alternatively, a Dutch-style horseshoe lock and extender chain offers a neat solution. Be sure to lock your bike whenever you leave it, including at home.

When leaving your bike, make sure you attach it to a bike stand or item of street furniture that cannot be easily broken, cut, or moved, or where your bike could be lifted clear. Try to choose a well-lit area with CCTV coverage. It is best to choose an area where other people are around and are frequently walking past – never leave it in an isolated place.  Wheels are an easy target for thieves, particularly where they have quick release skewers. When locking your bike, make sure that you secure both wheels and the frame to the bike stand, and if you are going to leave your bike in a public place on a regular basis, then consider fitting security skewers or skewer locks such as those made by Quick Caps.