Lock it or lose it
Top 10 tips to keep your bicycle secure and make sure you always have a ride home.
Lock it
Local police find many bikes across Birmingham that have not been locked up. This will make a bike irresistible to thieves. You might only be leaving your bike for a minute, but it only takes a second for a thief to walk off with it, so always lock it.
2 locks are better than one
To provide maximum security, it is best to use 2 different locks, for example, a D lock and a cable lock. This will deter thieves, as it will take more time to get through 2 locks. If they are different locks, they will more than likely need 2 tools to get through them. Carrying 2 types of tools does not appeal to most thieves.
Cheap lock = false economy
Experiments have shown that some £5 cable locks can be breached in 1 second. Thieves know which locks are cheap and can spot them a mile off. Make that initial extra investment and save yourself time, trouble, and money in the long run.
Use bike stands, that is what they are there for
Always lock your bike to something solid and secure. Sheffield Stands (that look like an upside-down “U”) are the most secure stands to use.
Do not lock your bike:
- where there is a warning sign not to lock your bike
- to a post (even if it has a sign higher up, the screws on the sign can be removed)
- to a drainpipe, these are easy to smash
Do not hide it
Make sure you lock your bike in an open location. Locking it somewhere quiet and remote will make it more attractive to thieves and also give them the time and privacy they need to steal it.
Lock it up
Do not allow your lock (whatever type it is) to lie on or near the floor, as this will make it easier for thieves to smash it.
Lock it tight
When securing your bike with your lock, make sure there is little room for manoeuvre within the lock. Secure the lock around the frame, spokes, and bike stand. This will make it difficult for thieves to insert and utilise their tools.
Lock it all
If you have 2 locks, loop each around a wheel, the frame, and a bike stand. If you only have one, take your front wheel off and secure it to your back wheel, frame, and bike stand with the lock. Never lock your bike just by its wheels.
If you cannot lock it, take it off
Always try to remove all of your bike’s attached accessories, such as lights, panniers, and cycle computers. If your saddle has a quick release, take that with you, too.
Extra security
In addition to adding extra locks, you can complete a bike passport. Use it to record all the details of your bike (including a picture) that you can pass to the police if your bike is ever stolen.
It is also a good idea to register and list your bike details on the Immobilise website.
