Ahead of our bike security event this Saturday, these handy tips can minimise the risk of you losing your ride.
We’d all like to live in a world where we can ride around town without fear of our bikes getting stolen or damaged. Of course, as we all know, life isn’t like that: there will always be unsavoury individuals who see bikes as easy pickings for a cool new ride or a quick sell-on buck.
For any responsible, sensible cyclist, doing everything reasonably possible to keep a bike safe and secure should be second nature. These five quick tips, based on our own knowledge and experience of Leighton Buzzard cycling, can’t promise 100 per cent security for your two-wheeled steed, but they should help shift the odds back in your favour.
A good bike deserves a good lock
It never ceases to amaze how many expensive top-end bikes are locked up with a cheapo lock that looks like it came out of a pound shop. Why on Earth would you spend hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds on a great bike only to leave it exposed to any old chancer?
As Dorvics owner Ashley Lewis explains: “Some locks are useless: cable locks can just be cut with a pair of scissors, U-locks with cylindrical keys have famously been picked with a pen top, and very cheap U-locks can be sawn through with a hacksaw in minutes. Most locks will stop an opportunist thief, but good ones can make it hard enough for a professional thief that he’ll look for easier pickings.”
Any new bike purchase consideration should have security right at the front of mind. You wouldn’t skimp on buying a decent helmet, so why would you for a good lock?
Don’t forget quick-release gear and accessories
Another often-forgotten factor with bike crime is how easily various bits can be removed, be it lights, computers or even wheels. We’ve all seen lonely bike frames at the train station, still firmly secured to the rack but with every removable object long gone. So it’s worth taking time to assess what bits you have on your bike could be quickly removed by a passer-by.
Ashley says: “Even if your bike is securely locked, thieves can and will steal parts from it. Anything with a quick-release skewer can be removed in moments by anyone; an effective option is to use Allen bolts instead. Saddles can also be fair game, with leather saddles proving very popular with thieves. And don’t forget to remove lights and computers every time you leave your bike unattended.”
Park next to the priciest bike you can find
Put yourself in the shoes of the budding bike thief for one moment. He (or she) has skulked up to a bike rack and seen two bikes: your shiny, new heaven-on-wheels speed machine, and a cheap-as-chips mountain bike. Which one are they going to try and pinch? It’s a no-brainer.
So a little bit of thought when you come to lock your bike up can tip the scales in your direction. Look for the most expensive, coolest or badly-secured bike you can find, and park yours up right next to it. That way, your ride (as nice as it might be) looks the poor relation and is more likely to be passed over in favour of the Unobtanium-framed special alongside.
Ashley also recommends hiding your bike in plain sight: “Thieves don’t like an audience: lock your bike in a public place rather than down an alleyway. Try and lock your bike somewhere covered by CCTV and always choose a place that is well lit.”
Consider what you’re locking your bike to
Just because a bike rack or railing looks solid and sturdy doesn’t automatically mean that it is. And in a world where extra-quiet cutting devices mean thieves can often cut through public installations and make off with a bike without detection, nothing should be taken for granted.
Ashley says: “Make sure the object is a closed loop, so the thief can’t lift the bike over the top. Don’t use anything flimsy or the thief will cut that instead of the lock. If you’re using a U-lock, it’s better to lock the bike low down around the bottom bracket or seat tube rather than over the top tube, where the thief can get at it easily.
“And if you can, fill the shackle of the lock with as much bike and street furniture as will fit, leaving as little daylight in the lock as possible – it makes the lock harder to attack.”
Get your bike marked at our security day!
This coming Saturday (March 24 2018), we’ll be hosting a special bike security day here at Dorvics Cycles, in association with Bedfordshire Police. You’ll be able to get your bike security-marked for free so that your bike can be easily identified as yours in the event of loss or theft. This includes situations where thieves are attempting to sell your bike on.
What’s more, you can get advice from our expert team on the best security products for your needs. Any security items bought on the day are 10% off, with fitting absolutely free!
Our bike event runs from 10am until 2pm on Saturday, so we look forward to seeing you at Dorvics. If there’s anything else you’d like to know about bike security in the meantime, feel free to get in touch by clicking here.