Having your bike stolen is a worry we all share and there isn’t one cyclist who hasn’t had their bike stolen or knows someone who has. Our insurance cover will put your mind at ease.
500,000 bikes are stolen every year in the UK. With the current cycling boom, there are more bikes on our streets, often left in poorly secured areas despite their high value, making them easy picking for bike thieves.
Although it sounds a little extreme, our bikes are an extension of ourselves. We pay out our hard earned money for them, we clean and maintain them, and whenever we get a chance, we spend as much time with them as possible. Those who don’t ride bikes will never understand the pain of having your bike stolen.
Cycleplan insurance will cover your bike should it get stolen, providing it’s locked correctly using an approved lock. But to avoid making a claim, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk.
It’s important you register your bike. Not only can it help deter thieves, it will also assist the police in identifying the bike and increase the chances of your bike returning home.
Several companies offer bike identification and it doesn’t cost a penny. Bikeregister.com is the UK's leading online bicycle registration initiative that is aimed at reducing bicycle theft and is used by every police force.
Under most insurance policies, you won’t be covered for bike theft if the lock isn’t approved so it makes sense to invest in the best lock you can afford. Why spend thousands of pounds on a new bike and not take the proper precautions to safely secure it?
Here’s our advice on the best locks around and what to look for. Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to locks. A cheap looking lock will offer little security and be an easy target for a bike thief. All lock manufacturers have their own protection rating and are a reasonable indicator of its strength. In most cases, the better the lock, the more expensive it will be.
Don’t leave your bike in an isolated spot. Don’t lock your bike against an object that can be moved. Don’t leave your bike unlocked even if it’s for a moment. All these things will help reduce the risk of your bike being stolen. And, even if it is securely locked, try and keep it somewhere where you can keep an eye on it.
Here are some top tips on locking your bike. Bikes can be lifted from almost anywhere, but some areas are more popular targets among thieves than others.
On street parking is the most vulnerable spot for bikes being stolen when out and about but there are many other areas too. According to statistics, two thirds of thefts in the UK occur in and around the victim’s home, most notably gardens, passageways between houses and outbuildings such as sheds and garages.
Many cyclists simply don’t go to the effort of securing their bikes once they return home in the belief that their property is enough of deterrent against bike thieves. But it’s not. When you return home, ensure your bike is properly secured.
Even if you have the best rated, most expensive bike lock available, if you don’t know how to efficiently use it to secure your bike properly, it’s not going to do its job and keep your bike secure. There are many elements to locking a bike correctly, some you may not be familiar with. Find out more about the best ways to lock your bike and keep it as safe as possible.