Is It Locked?

Is it locked? If not your bike is in danger of being nicked. Even if it is in your house.

If a thief wants your bike badly enough, has the right tools and can make as much noise as he/she wants for as long as necessary, without being disturbed, unfortunately, nothing will keep him/her from having your bike. However, all these things are rarely true so there are things you can do to frustrate thieves and keep your bike where it belongs ? with you!

Always, always, always lock your bike when you are not riding it.

Choose a lock from a brand name that you know and trust. For a list of insurance approved locks visit the sold secure site and their security ratings.

Lock to a fixed, immovable object. Be careful not to lock to something that can be easily cut, broken or removed (check that poles which appear solid and fixed in fact are).

Lock in a visible, well-lit area with other bikes. Chances are that there will be a bike with a less secure lock than yours; thieves will usually go for the easiest target.

When using a D-lock, position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much of the open space within the u-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock up, the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack the lock.

When using a chain to secure your bike, make sure the lock is positioned off the ground and can not be lifted over what you have locked it to.

In high crime areas, two locks are better than one. A cable and u-lock are good theft deterrents together because a thief will need two different tools to defeat the lock up. The longer it takes a thief to get through your bike security, the less likely your bike will be stolen.

Make sure any kit that is easily removed such as quick release wheels or seat post are secured or removed.

Do not free-lock (locking a bike to itself, front wheels locked to the frame) only. The bike can be easily lifted away. When at home, use a ground anchor to secure your precious bike.

Also consider registering your bike with the bike register, so should it get stolen, if it is recovered the police will be able to return it to yourself, also you will get 10% discount on bike insurance.

It's worthwhile insuring your bike. Most household policies only cover bikes up to £500, but there are some out there that offer higher cover. But if your bike is worth considerably more than that it is worth getting separate cycle insurance from companies such as CTC, E&L Insurance, cycleguard.

Following these simple tips will help you to defeat most thieves when they come looking for a bike to nick. Remember, don't make it easy for them. Take the time to properly lock your bike each and every time so it will be there the next time you want to hit the trails.