According to Cycling UK, around 300,000 bikes are stolen in England and Wales every year. Bike theft is big business.
Even if you use a basic bike for getting around, it can be expensive and inconvenient to replace. Follow our simple tips to keep your bike secure and make it harder for would-be thieves to get their hands on it.
How to keep your bike secure
Here are the best ways to prevent your bike from being stolen, whether it's at home or away.
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Register and mark your bike
When you buy a new bike, it's worth signing up to a national bicycle marking and registration scheme.
Online database systems such as BikeRegister or Immobilise are free to register and approved by the police. You can upload your bike's model and frame number, as well as a photo of it, and you'll be given a logbook to record any details in case you ever need to prove the bike belongs to you.
Police regularly check the database when retrieving lost or stolen bikes. So, if yours has been taken, you can highlight it on your online account. If the police then recover the bike, it will be easier for them to return it to you.
It's also a good idea to mark your bike with an exclusive ID code so that it's identifiable. Local police often mark bikes at fetes and special events - so keep checking their websites for details.
Or, if you prefer to do it yourself, you can buy a variety of kits. BikeRegister has some useful steps on how to mark your bike.
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Ensure you have everything you need in your kit, such as a set of stencils, marking compound, application spatula, alcohol wipes and a warning label.
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Peel the stencil from its strip, place it on the frame of the bike and ensure it's firmly stuck down.
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Unscrew the marking compound, pierce its tube and squeeze a small amount into a container.
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Use the spatula to wipe the compound over the stencil so all the holes are filled. Leave it no longer than 30 seconds before peeling off.
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Use the alcohol wipe over the stencil to ensure the marking is dry and free to touch.
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Apply the warning label on the bike frame so thieves can see that it has been marked.
It's important to recognise that marking and registration isn't 100% criminal-proof. Some bike thieves will still shave or file off the serial number. However, visibly seeing that your bike is both registered and traceable will certainly make it less appealing to them.
Record details of your bike
Of all the bikes stolen each year, only a small number are returned to their rightful owners. This is partly due to a lack of detail about the bikes themselves.
Even if you don't insure your bike, keeping a record of it on file should help you prove to the police that the bike they've found belongs to you.
The most important thing to note is the frame number. This will usually be stamped underneath the bottom bracket (where the pedals are attached) or on the seat tube (either to the rear suspension or on the connector beneath it).
It's a good idea to keep a full description of your bike, too. The best way to do this is to take plenty of photos and note down the following details:
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Frame number
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Make and model
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Size and colour
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Date and place of purchase
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Value of bike
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Any distinctive features
If you register your bike with a security scheme and get it marked, you should also keep a record of any unique serial numbers.
Providing bike theft is covered in your insurance, having these details on file will be useful if you ever need to make a claim.
Get the best bike lock for your bike
Anyone can take a bike that's been left unattended. But if it's locked, it'll be harder to steal. Only thieves with the right tools will be able to take it.
That said, there's little that can put off the more accomplished bike thief. They can spot a weak lock a mile away and have ways to break the sturdier ones. With the right set of tools, a thief could break a lock in seconds.
By targeting high value bikes, thieves have stepped up their game. Many now carry toughened bolt cutters that neatly fold into rucksacks, or even angle grinders for when normal wire or bolt cutters can't do the job.
With this in mind, it's worth a little extra research when it comes to selecting the best lock for your bike.
Essentially, there are four types of security locks to choose from:
Cable locks
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Chain locks
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Armoured locks
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Shackle locks
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While researching which bike lock to buy, check if it has an independent testing certification (Sold Secure is a good place to start). Those assigned a gold rating by official testing bodies will be more secure.
If you’ve got bike insurance, it’s worth noting that your policy may be invalidated if you don’t lock your bike securely (through the frame and any quick-release wheels to an immovable object) using an approved lock. In short – the more valuable your bike is, the more sturdy your lock needs to be.
So, don’t compromise on quality – if your bike is worth holding on to, you need to buy a Sold Secure rated lock.
Securing your bike while you're out and about
Bike thefts can happen in seconds, so always secure your bike, even if you're only leaving it for a few moments. When locking your bike, the main aim is to make it as difficult as possible to get at the lock itself.
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Choose your space wisely. Consider locking your bike next to others. If you've locked your bike correctly, a thief is likely to target a less secure bike instead.
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Always lock your bike through its lower frame (never through the top), to a solid, immovable object that has a closed loop so the bike can't be lifted over the top (such as iron railings).
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Two locks are always better than one. Put the first through the back wheel, the lower frame of the seat tube and the object. If you're using a flexible lock (cable or chain), wrap it in such a way that it keeps taut.
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Fill the space with as much of the bike and object as possible. The fewer gaps there are, the harder it will be for anyone to attack it with cutters or bolt croppers.
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Repeat the steps with the second lock, this time through the front wheel, the bottom of the bracket and the object.
If you're locking your bike somewhere for a long time, opt for a well-lit location where there'll be plenty of passers-by. But remember, bike thieves are quite brazen. Public places - even busy cities with lots of CCTV cameras - won't necessarily stop them if they think they can steal it quickly.
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If you cycle to work, university or a train station, scope out the amenities first. Public buildings often have designated areas with bicycle racks, but you need to be cautious when it comes to indoor parking - these spaces tend to be quieter, allowing thieves more time to go unnoticed if there's limited security.
BREEAM is a scheme that encourages public cycle facilities to be compliant. It's a good place to find out what kind of buildings are adequate for locking your bike in.
If you rely on your bike heavily, it could be worth investing in an electronic tracker. These can be installed into the bike's frame or handlebars, so it's hidden from the human eye. If the more inexperienced thief doesn't think to check for it, you might be able to track the whereabouts of your stolen bike using GPS.
Securing your bike at home
There's good reason to check whether bikes are (or can be) covered by your home insurance; many that are stolen are often taken from sheds, garages or communal living spaces.
However, most insurance companies will only accept a claim if you've taken the necessary precautions to keep your bike secure. Storing it in an unlocked building isn't enough, even if it's kept out of sight and away from the windows.
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Always use a decent lock that can't be easily removed with a screwdriver on your storage shed, and consider fitting an alarm. You could use a battery-powered alarm for your shed, or install a security system for the garage.
If you're leaving the bike in a communal area - perhaps the stairwell in a block of flats or halls of residence - firmly lock it through the frame and wheels before securing it to something immovable.
If you're securing your bike inside a garage, you may want to invest in an anchor that can be bolted to the wall or floor. Using a shackle with a hardened case helps resist any freezing, cutting or grinding attacks, while having one with a complete D shape means thieves would have to cut it twice to fully break it.
If you don't have enough storage space, look into buying a heavy-duty bike shed. You'll need around two square metres of outdoor space on a flat surface. The best versions can house up to three bikes, have a five-point locking system and claim to be drill resistant. They're not cheap, but if you have more than one expensive bike to keep safe, it might be a price worth paying.
Some borough councils are also involved in cycle parking schemes, installing lockable bike hangers or shelters on residential streets. Just like a parking permit, you can apply to rent a space or ask to be added to the waiting list until one is available.
Of course, following all these tips all won't make your bike completely theft-proof. But using a combination of preventative measures should deter most thieves as they simply won't have the time or tools to persevere.
What to do if your bike is stolen
No matter how many precautions you take, there's always a chance your bike could still get stolen. If this does happen, here are five simple steps to follow:
1. Report it to the police
If the theft is still in progress, dial 999. If it's already happened, dial 101 (non-emergency number) or visit your local police station. If your bike has been taken from a train or tube station, contact the British Transport Police.
Most insurance policies require you to contact the police before making a claim for a stolen bike, so make sure you ask for a crime reference number. This will also help you track the progress of your case.
If your bike has been registered, log into your account and flag its status as stolen. This will help the police return it to you if they retrieve it.
2. Tell your insurance company
Do this straight after you've contacted the police, providing them with the same full details.
Your insurance company should be able to check whether bike theft is covered by your policy, as well as help guide you if you decide to make a claim.
3. Check online
Regularly check the big retail websites or cycling websites to see if your bike is being sold online.
Better still, create an account and set up some alerts for things that match your bike's description. Remember, your bike could also be sold in parts.
If you think you've found your bike on one of these sites, don't attempt to contact the seller yourself, alert the police instead.
4. Spread the word
The more eyes looking out for your bike the better.
One way to spread the word is by uploading the bike's details on sites such as Stolen Bike, and then using the social media icons to alert your contacts.
If your bike is unique - perhaps a time-trial, tri-bike or racing bike - you could also try listing it with specific bike club forums and community websites.
Don't forget about social media forums – they're ideal tools for creating and maintaining awareness.
5. Inform your local bike shop
You'll find most bike shop owners are happy to help where they can. Provide them with the details of your bike, along with a picture, in case someone brings it into their shop for repair.
Summary checklist
Having a bike stolen is both frustrating and unsettling.
But by putting some (if not all) of these precautions into place, the likelihood of it happening to you will be significantly lower. If nothing else, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you've done everything you can to keep your bike secure.
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Register your bike online
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Mark your bike with a security number
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Keep a record of your bike's details
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Research the best locks to buy
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Ensure your bike is secure when at home
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Be mindful of where you're leaving your bike
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Always securely lock your bike when leaving it unattended
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Know who to contact if your bike is stolen
Get cycling insurance
Your bike might not be covered by your home insurance, especially if it was stolen while away from your home. It might be worth checking out our Cycling Insurance for complete peace of mind - depending on the policy you choose, Direct Line could cover your bike and accessories for theft or accidental damage, as well as provide personal injury cover for you as a cyclist.
