The UK Government have been recommending cycling as a sustainable means of travel to work and to school but also importantly for recreation with the associated health benefits. Cycling and the number of bikes has been steadily increasing, especially during the last year and as the country comes out of the COVID-19 lockdown, we expect an uptake of cycle crime.
Tips for preventing the theft of bikes
There are around 300,000 bikes stolen each year, with 40% of all bike thefts occurring when the owner did not secure their bike, either forgetting to or believing that it was safe. We all need to store our bikes, safely even at home, but the theft of bikes from sheds and garages continues to be a problem as they often house multiple bikes – easy picking for thieves.
Whilst a number of stolen bikes are recovered each year, the police are often unable to return them or prosecute offenders as the owner cannot be traced.
You can help to keep your bike secure at home and when cycling by following our bike security guidance.
Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK. A list of SBD member companies that have bike security products which have achieved our Police Preferred Specification is at the end of this page.
Here are our top tips to help you keep your bike safe and secure, both at work, at home and if travelling for holiday or leisure purposes.
1. Register it
Register your bike on a secure, SBD recognised, national database. The police will check these databases if they find bikes in the possession of a criminal or if left in the street to help identify the rightful owner.
A bike carrying a database label or stamp is a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves, as they know that if they are caught with a registered bike they will be arrested as the owner can be traced by the police within seconds.
2. Record it
Remember to record as many details of your bike as you can, such as the make, model, size, colour, frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in) plus any other distinguishing features and take a photo.
3. Security mark it
Security marking your bike using an SBD recognised forensic asset marking or etching kit is another highly effective, visible deterrent to thieves and an established method of reducing theft.
4. Double-lock it, secure it and lock the lot
It can take thieves as little as a few seconds to cut through some locks that haven’t achieved the Police Preferred Specification. Double locking is the best protection for locking any bike. However, we recognise this is not always possible or practicable at times.
Whatever the type of lock, look for the SBD logo or see the SBD approved list at the bottom of the page.
- Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.
- Lock the frame and both wheels to the cycle parking stand.
- Locks are considered more vulnerable when they come into contact with the ground, so keep them off the floor.
We have provided more information about how to choose the right lock below…
5. Remove the removable bits
Take parts that are easy to remove with you, such as the saddle or wheels. Alternatively, use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently, making it difficult for thieves to steal detachable parts.
6. Park secure
When parking your bike in a public place you need to consider many factors, including your own personnel safety and the security of your bike.
Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit, overlooked and if possible covered by CCTV.
Secured cycle hubs and racks are provided by local councils and businesses. However, while some of these products are security tested, others are not so be wary. You can find details of racks and stands which are supplied by SBD member companies and have achieved Police Preferred Specification below.
▪ Avoid leaving your bike in isolated or dimly lit places, always leave your bike where a potential thief will have to perform in public!
▪ Do not lock your bike to an open-ended structure such as a signpost – thieves just lift the bike over the top of it.
▪ Avoid locking your bike against a gate or wall, thieves will often use leverage against the wall or gate to break the bike lock.
▪Electric Bikes (e-bikes) are very expensive, so try not to leave them in the same place on a regular basis as they may be noticed and stolen to order by a determined thief. You should also consider removing the battery if you can. Cycle lockers are a good option if storing your e-bike in a public place.
7. Keep valuables secure when cycling
Always keep your valuables secure when cycling. Don't put them in open baskets or panniers.
8. Be aware of your surroundings
Always pay attention to your surroundings, especially whilst stationary. Thieves target unsuspecting cyclists for both their valuables, such as mobile phones and their bikes.
9. Remember safety begins at home
This is very important to remember as many bikes are stolen at home, mainly from sheds and remote garages that are not connected to the home. You should take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street.
Improve the general security of your shed and garden. Secure bikes in a shed or garage by using a purpose-made shed shackle and padlock or a ground anchor fixed to the base of the shed, with a high rated security cycle or motorcycle lock.
For further security advice on a secure garden and garden sheds please click HERE
Several SBD companies also supply secure bike storage sheds which can be readily used out of sight in the rear garden. However, if you decide to place these in the front garden, please check with your local council that they comply with national permitted development rights; outbuildings cannot be constructed in front of a house and may require planning permission, for example, if you live in a conservation area or in a listed building.
10. Remember to keep your bike safe when travelling by car
Keeping your bike safe while on a roof rack or rear carrier of a vehicle is just as important as keeping it secure at home or work, as it can take an opportunist thief only seconds to steal your bike when you park your vehicle.
Always pay attention to where you park your car, and ensure it is parked in a well-lit, busy location where the actions of any thief would be noticeable.
How to choose the right bike security lock
Buying a bike lock should not be an afterthought. In the UK, the average cost of a bike is approximately £500 and an e-bike is £2,500 so it is going to need some protection.
Questions you should ask are:
- Will the bike lock will perform its job? Buying a cycle lock without an approved security test, is just not worth it.
- How do you know what a quality lock is? A quality lock is one that has been accredited with the Police Preferred Specification.
- Will it protect my bike? An accredited bike lock will act as a strong deterrent to any thief.
At SBD, we insist on security standards for cycle security products with the aim of reducing and preventing the theft of bikes. Various test methods are used to determine resistance against attack using the sort of tools that a thief may use to steal a bike.
Double Lock
Buying and using a single SBD approved product with a high-security rating will provide better protection than using two untested products without security testing.
Choosing the security level or type of lock is down to individual circumstance and personal preference as we all use our bikes in different ways.
Whether you are cycling in a city with good provision of cycle parking, out cycling with the children in a country park with no cycle stands to lock your bike, or on a mountain biking trail in a national park, you need to choose the right type of lock for the activity and situation. Style, weight, and security grade will all be a factor.
All SBD approved cycle locks have been independently accredited to the Sold Secure standard run by the Master Locksmiths Association.
All SBD approved cycle locks have been independently accredited to the Sold Secure standard run by the Master Locksmiths Association.
Sold Secure test to four grades, with Diamond being the highest grade, look for the gradings below:
Bronze
These products offer defence against the opportunist thief
Silver
This offers a compromise between security and cost
Gold
These products are aimed at those mid-to-high level value bikes
Diamond
The highest level of security aimed a high-value bikes and e-bikes
If you wish to find out more information, please visit the Sold Secure website
Insurance
Check that you have adequate cover under your household insurance for theft of bikes and that this extends to cover theft from outbuildings or sheds. You should also check that the sum insured is adequate given the high value of some bikes and e-bikes.
Secured by Design is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK. Below is a list of Secured by Design member companies that have bike security products which have achieved our Police Preferred Specification:
Bicycle Security
To see the full range of our Member Companies and to search for specific bike security products click HERE
