Enjoy Bike Week - and Stay One Step Ahead of Bike Crime

Sadly, statistics show that a bike is stolen every 7 minutes in the UK – and that’s just the reported cases.

According to data from the Office of National Statistics,

·      • 45% of bikes are stolen in or around the home

·      • The most common times for theft at home are between 12pm-6pm, and at night between 12am-6am

·      • 31% of bikes are stolen from the street

·      • 24% from work or a public car park

With this in mind, there are several measures you can take to deter bike theft along with some Secured by Design products and services that can help.

In and around the home

Secure bike storage is one of the most effective deterrents. Companies like Asgard Secure Steel Storage, Bikeaway, Secure Cycle Store and Trimetals, offer a wide range of SBD accredited bike sheds, lockers and storage solutions for bicycles, e-bikes, motorcycles and scooters which have all been tested for security.

·      • It’s advisable to lock your bike securely at home, even if it’s behind closed doors

·      • If you own a high value bike avoid posting photos of it on social media

·      • If you’re sharing routes or sports data on apps like Strava or Komoot, set  ‘privacy zones’ around your home, workplace,     or locations where you frequently park your bike

Locks

A strong lock is your first line of defence. ABUS UK, Burg-Wächter UK, Hiplok, Krypotnite, LITELOK, Master Lock, Onguard, Squire and Yale Retail UK all offer locks, bike chains and solutions that meet Sold Secure standards and are SBD accredited. These products have undergone rigorous testing and provide a high level of protection for bikes, e-bikes, scooter, mopeds and motorcycles.

Out and About

·       Cyclists should look for secure and well-lit locations to leave their bike, ideally covered by CCTV or in places with high foot traffic

·       • Lock your bike in order of its value – frame first, back wheel then front wheel

·       • Use two different types of locks if possible (e.g. a D-lock and a chain lock) to make theft more difficult

·       • Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to limit space and movement.

·       • Remove accessories like lights, baskets or even a saddle or wheel if it’s easily detachable

Infrastructure and Parking

Across the UK bike-friendly infrastructure is improving. Designers and manufacturers such as Autopa, Broxap, Cyclehoop, CyclePod, Cycle-Works, Greasemonkey, Lockit Safe, and Urban Spec produce solid and secure immovable parking solutions including cycles shelters, lockers, cycle hoops and bike racks. They all offer products for domestic and commercial use and they can be found in public spaces such as shopping centres, universities, train stations and workplaces.

Marking and Registration

Marking your bike with a unique ID can also be a very visible and effective deterrent.  SelectaDNA offered by Selectamark is a forensic marking solution using DNA, UV tracers and microdots and is suitable for all types of bikes from motorbikes and motocross, to trail, racing and quad bikes.

SmartWater by Detertech is another forensic marking solution that uses an invisible uniquely coded liquid to tag assets around the home and workplace - including bikes. Marked items are forensically analysed to trace and identify stolen property.

Don’t forget to register your bike too. The frame number (usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or rear wheel) can be registered for free with police-approved databases like BikeRegister or Immobilise. Your local police force may also have their own marking scheme and bike registration too.

Taking a photo of your bike and keeping purchase receipts can help prove ownership and assist with recovery.

Motorcycles

Motorbike owners should follow the same steps – secure storage, good locks and marking. In addition companies like Pragmasis and Oxford Products offer a range of secure ground anchors, docking, shackles and alarm systems. BikeTrac provides discreet bike tracking devices with GPS and RS technology which alerts owners to any suspicious movements and can help pinpoint locations of stolen bikes.

What to do if your bike is stolen

Act fast.

·      • Report the theft to Police here with your frame number, photo and cycle registration number

·      • Request a bike crime reference number

·      • Register it as stolen on BikeRegister, even if you haven’t registered it previously as they also run a BikeChecker tool which    helps flag second-hand bikes as stolen•

·      • Post it on social media forums, sites like CycleChat, Stolenride or StolenBikesUK or your local neighbourhood groups

LITELOK recently conducted a global survey that showed over half of cyclists had been affected by bike crime. But the good news is that taking proactive measures can help reduce that risk. Investing in high-quality security products, marking and registering your bike, and being aware and vigilant can go a long way to keep your bike safe - whether you’re commuting, riding for sport or just enjoying the freedom of being on two wheels…

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