Protect your bike in five easy steps

If you're one of the many people swapping the bus/train/car for a bike, here's how you can prevent your bike from being stolen...

Have you ever toyed with the idea of cycling to work instead of driving/getting the bus/jumping on the train? If you live close enough to your office, cycling to work instead of using public transport or your car can really save the pennies, as well as help you to stay fit.

In fact, according to More Th>n, bicycle sales have risen by almost a quarter on last year as commuters seek out cheaper ways to get to work. And with the hot weather we're currently experiencing, I'd certainly prefer to get on my bike and cycle to work rather than suffer being squashed against the window of a packed, hot and sticky train.

However, if you are thinking of trading in your car for your bike, there's likely to be at least one concern niggling at the back of your mind - and that's bike theft.

Unfortunately the summer months are particularly popular with bike thieves and according to More Th>n, this is costing the nation more than £62 million every year!

Sadly, only a tiny 5% of stolen bikes are ever recovered and returned to their owners. So what can you do to stop your bike from being nicked?

1) Don't be flashy

If you're purely using your bike for commuting purposes, you don't need to keep up with the Joneses and buy the flashiest model you can find. Your bike is less likely to be stolen if it's not top of the range.

So if you don't want to spend too much cash, Asda has recently launched a range of cheap bikes in a bid to get more of us cycling - you can pick up a kid's bike from just £50 or an adult's bike from £70.

2) Get it insured!

It might sound obvious, but insurance really is important. Don't just assume you're automatically covered with your home contents policy. Although many policies will include bike protection as part of your home insurance, you're only likely to be covered if your bike is stolen from your home.

So unless you never use your bike, it's worth paying a bit extra for an add-on to your home contents policy which will cover your bike away from home.

Always check the small print of your policy to ensure you're aware exactly when and where your bike is covered. Most policies will only pay out if the bike is locked up securely - so even if you've left your bike out overnight in your garden, if it's unlocked, you may not be covered. For extra security, it's a good idea to lock your bike up in the shed/garage overnight and lock the shed/garage door.

It's also worth noting that if your bike is particularly valuable or you use it for business or racing, it's worth getting more comprehensive cover and investing in a standalone insurance policy.

Cycleguard and Evans Cycles, for example, offer public liability (for if you injure someone else) on top of theft cover, and you can extend this cover abroad or for if you're competing in events. And if you take out a new policy with Evans Cycles before the end of July, you'll get 15% off!

3) Locking up

Always lock up your bike - even if you're only leaving it for a few minutes. Use a hardened steel D-shaped lock and always lock your bike to an immovable object such as a bike rack or lamppost. Thieves can easily remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts. Lock the wheels and the frame together and take smaller parts of the bike - such as the lights - with you.                                      

Ensure the lock faces down towards the pavement so that it can't be easily turned upwards. This will make it harder for thieves to pick the lock. Don't leave the lock resting on the ground, however, as this makes it easier to smash it open. Also keep the gap between the bike and the lock as small as possible.

It's also a good idea to make copies of the keys for your lock and keep them separate from the originals.

4) Extra security

Record and register your bike model, make and frame number as this helps the police return recovered bikes to their rightful owners. Websites such as bikeregister.com and immobilise.com will allow you to do this.

It's also worth making a note of the frame serial number so that you have it to hand if you need to make an insurance claim. Take a photo of your bike and write down exactly what it looks like so that you can also report it accurately if it's stolen.

Finally, make sure your bike has security markings such as an etched serial number. Advertise this with a visible sticker to deter thieves.

5) Location location location

Avoid leaving your bike in an isolated or dimly lit area as this will be an easy target for thieves. It's also a good idea to avoid leaving it in the same place on a regular basis, particularly if it's an expensive bike. This should prevent thieves from noticing the pattern and targeting the bike.

And don't forget to be considerate to others - don't leave your bike in a place where someone could easily trip over it! And don't put it in front of a fire exit.

For more advice, check out the Home Office's Steer Clear of Cycle Theft.

So if you're planning to buy a bike for the summer, follow these simple tips and hopefully you'll successfully deter those pesky thieves!

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