Tips to keep your bike secure

Cycling has always been popular, whether you’re a pro, use a bike for the work commute or go on the odd day out with the kids.

During lockdown and with fewer cars on the roads, the impact of COVID-19 led to a 60% increase in bike sales since March 2020 according to the Bicycle Association.

The average bike costs £381, but some can cost way over £3,000 depending on the make and model. No wonder that with a spike in bike sales, came a growing number of thefts with insurers reporting a 46%+ increase and bike thefts from homes doubling.

Our UK General Manager here at SimpliSafe, Jonathan Wall, is a keen cyclist himself. He has shared these tips to help keep your bike safe and secure:

Lock it up - invest in a heavy-duty bike lock which is certified by Sold Secure. You’ll be looking to pay at least £40 per lock and if you get two, that’ll make any thief’s job more difficult

Remove accessories - remove the saddle and any other accessories every time you leave your bike, this way the bike will be less enticing to potential thieves

Mix up your route and where you leave your bike - some criminals keep an eye on habits, such as your daily route. If your bike catches their eye, you don’t want to be predictable

Register - register your bike with schemes such as Immobilise or Bike Register

Crime rate - use the SimpliSafe Crime in the UK tool to identify how many bike thefts happen in your area

Insurance - after you’ve spent all that money on a bike, it’s only right to take out insurance in case of a theft. Note your bike’s serial number and unique features and log this with your insurance provider so in the event of a theft, it can be identified

Apps - phone apps such as Strava are a great way to record your bike rides, but make sure you adjust your privacy settings so they aren’t visible to everyone. With Strava you can create a privacy perimeter, which means you can set a radius around your house and that part of your ride will never show up on a map of your activity.

Security - home security is a great way to keep an eye on your bike no matter where you keep it in the home. Use entry and motion sensors to ensure no one breaks into your home, garage or outer building such as a shed. A smart security camera is a great way to keep an eye on your garden too.

If your bike is stolen, report the theft to your local police station immediately. Share as much detail as possible about where and when it happened, your bike’s model and serial number, as well as any photos you have. Once this has been done, if your bike has insurance cover contact your provider.