About 80,000 bicycles were stolen last year, in London alone. To make sure that your bike is a safe as possible from theft when you are not around you should do the follow things.
Register it
Register your bicycle model, make and frame number with Immobilise; this will help the police forces to identify your bike if it is of lost or stolen. The frame number is usually located below the seat post, by or underneath the pedals or towards the back wheel.
Buy a decent lock for your bike and keep it locked at all times when not in use.
The more money you pay for a lock the better it will be. It is also advised to have two locks for your bike.
To make your bike as secure as possible lock it tight so that it is hard to move your bike around when parked. Lock both wheels and the frame to a bike stand or other immoveable object. Secure your lock so that it does not touch the ground.
Get insurance
The easiest way to do this is to just extend your home contents insurance to cover your bicycle, but make sure that it covers you for thefts outside the home too.
To further ensure the safety of your bike when you leave it unattended try to also:
Park your bike where everyone can see it as people will also see if someone is trying to steal it.
Make sure that the locks catch the bike frame as well as both wheels and the post as a thief may steal the bike and leave the wheels behind. Also make sure that the post can’t be cut through, or the bike lifted off.
Don’t leave your bike in the same place every day.
Remember that locks can be picked, so face the lock to the ground, so it can’t easily be turned upwards for picking.
Make it impossible for a thief to smash the lock open – fill the lock with as much of the bike as possible and don’t leave the lock touching the ground, making it easier to be smashed open.
Where possible, take with you any items that can be removed without tools – wheels, lights, pump, computer, pannier, seat post and saddle.
