Ten ways to protect your bike
- Double lock it. Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target.
- Lock the lot. Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.
- Secure it.
- Take removable parts with you.
- Park securely.
- Register it.
- Mark it.
- Remember safety begins at home.
Is bike theft common in London?
It’s no secret that bike theft is a major issue, particularly in London, and one that the authorities are struggling to grapple with.
How do I make sure my bike won’t get stolen?
8 tips to prevent bicycle theft
- Double up your security by using two high-quality locks.
- Use your locks to keep your wheels from being stolen, too.
- Swap quick-release seat and wheel skewers for ones that require keys.
- Make your bike unique.
- Try out a smart lock.
- Always bring your bike inside at night.
Is it safe to lock your bike in London?
In London, use two Sold Secure gold bike locks to secure the bike to an immovable object, ensuring both wheels and frame are covered by the locking (don’t just lock the frame or front wheel). Don’t use cable locks (especially as a primary lock, regardless of the risk factor of the area/facility).
Where can I lock my bike in London?
You can use a cycle hangar – a safe, covered place to park your cycle. There are over 10,000 spaces across 28 London boroughs. Two organisations operating in London are: Cyclehoop Rentals.
Where do stolen bikes go in London?
Track down your stolen bike
This contains the latest listings of bikes on Gumtree and Ebay. Update: A new website I was not previously aware of is: http://bikefinder.stolen-bikes.co.uk/ – this allows you to setup email alerts for your bike details and also to view new listings. It works across the UK.
What city has the most bike thefts?
The top ten US cities for bike theft list comes from Kryptonites own research.
- New York City, NY.
- Los Angeles, CA.
- Portland, OR.
- San Francisco, CA.
- Chicago, IL.
- Washington, DC.
- Philadelphia, PA.
- Seattle, WA.
Do police often find stolen bikes?
If you’re concerned that the police won’t recover your bike – you’re not alone. Statistics suggest that just 5% of stolen bikes are returned to their rightful owners. However, while the police rarely retreive stolen bicycles in isolation, they often seize dozens or even hundreds of bikes from professional thieves.
What are the most stolen bikes?
Most stolen motorcycle makes in the United States in 2019
| Characteristic | Number of thefts |
|---|---|
| American Honda Motor Co., Inc. | 8,122 |
| Yamaha Motor Corporation | 6,495 |
| Harley Davidson, Inc. | 4,737 |
| American Suzuki Motor Corporation | 4,686 |
How common is it to get your bike stolen?
every 30 seconds
A bicycle is stolen every 30 seconds in the United States. That’s roughly two million bikes a year, totaling about $350 million . To give you some perspective, less than one million motor vehicles are stolen each year in America. Bicycle thefts might be even higher than what’s reported.
How common is bicycle theft in the UK?
“On average, 45 bikes are stolen every hour in the UK. Cyclists need to consider what protection should be put in place to ensure they’re potentially covered for this.”
Can I lock my bike to a lamppost?
If no public bike racks or corrals are available, some communities will let you lock your bike to a lamppost, as long as it’s not blocking vehicle or pedestrian traffic or interfering with the function or service of the pole. Check your local regulations or call your police precinct to find out your local rules.
Are pink bikes less likely to be stolen?
Originally Answered: Would my man’s bike be less likely to be stolen if I paint it bright pink? Yes it is. This happens with cars too. Unique colors are less likely to be stolen because the thief can be caught easier, and because it’s harder to sell.
Can I leave my bike at Paddington station?
There are a number of places to leave your bikes at Paddington Central, see our map for the locations. There is also a Brompton Bike locker offering free hire to NHS workers. Find out more about cycle parking facilities within Paddington Station.
Do bike thieves take locks?
The biggest bolt cutters (36 and 42″) are usually only used by serious bike thieves. But they can crop mid range u-locks and chains and sometimes even the higher end locks.
How do I lock my bike UK?
Position your lock off the ground, with the keyhole facing down. Don’t lock your bike only through the frame to the object – this leaves your front and back wheels at risk, particularly if they are quick-release wheels. I don’t recommend that you lock your bike through the front wheel, frame and object only.
Why is bike theft so common in London?
Although Tower Hamlets had the highest number of overall bike thefts, the City of London is the worst according to rate per 100,000 with 3,986. This is due to the area having a small population of residents, but a high number of people who travel into the area for work.
What do bike thieves do with stolen bikes?
Professional Thieves.
They have the tools that can cut through u-locks and aim to resell stolen bikes at a price near their “fair market value.” These thieves acquire the bicycles from the streets, but then resell them on online markets to maximize the selling price.
How many Boris bikes get stolen?
Among the hundreds of bikes that go permanently missing from the 14,000-plus fleet every year, a handful have been tracked down to distinctly non-London locations, including Australia, the Gambia and Turkey, a freedom of information request has disclosed.
What is the punishment for bike theft UK?
Theft is triable either-way with a maximum penalty in the Crown Court of seven years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Why is bike stealing so common?
It’s so easy to get away with it
One major contributing factor to the increase in bike theft is that it’s just so easy for criminals to get away with it. A bicycle’s very nature makes it an easy target for theft: they are lightweight and simple to disassemble, making them easy to transport.