Protect your bike from thieves
Advice for bicycle owners on how to prevent theft, bike register schemes, tips to use when buying a used bike, and how to report a stolen bike.
If you own a bicycle, such as an e-bike, road bike or mountain bike, consider the following advice to help prevent it from being stolen.
Tips to prevent bicycle theft
Use a strong double lock
Bike thieves know their locks (and how to break them), and so should you.
Invest in good locks, even if they seem expensive. This could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run, while also preventing you from have to replace stolen parts or an entire bike.
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved bike lock suppliers.
Avoid cable-style locks and never buy a lock with a combination. Buy locks which have achieved the Sold Secure award, if possible.
Security mark your bike with BikeRegister
Mark your bike with a unique code and register it online at BikeRegister. This helps the us return it to you if it is stolen.
Make sure you keep a record of your bike’s identity, such as:
- the frame number, which is usually stamped into the metal on the underside of the bottom bracket shell (the part of the frame where the pedals attach)
- what it looks like, including size, components, wheelset etc
- having a clear photo
Look out for our bike marking events in your area, where Neighbourhood Policing Teams help to register your bike.
Set privacy zones on apps
If you use ride-sharing apps or websites, such as Strava which use GPS to record and analyse activities, be careful what you put on there.
For example, logging your rides and making them public means anyone can see where you started and finished your ride. That includes your home or office.
To keep your bike safe from thieves, you should consider:
- setting a GPS exclusion zone around your home or office
- setting your rides from public to private on your profile
- not listing the bike make, model or type – such as ‘road bike’ – on your profile
Keep your bicycle secure in public
Ideally, when securing your bike to a secure cycle stand in a public place, put:
- one D lock through the front wheel and down tube
- the other D lock through the back wheel and seat tube
Securing both locks to the cycle stand can slow down thieves and make your bike less of a target.
You could also consider:
- parking your bike in a well-lit area with good CCTV coverage
- using security skewers or nuts that can make seats or front wheels harder to steal
- buying electronic security tags
Keep your bicycle secure at home
To keep your bike safe at home:
- always lock your bike at home, even when it is in your garage, flat or halls of residence
- consider investing in a ground anchor and attach it securely to a wall or concrete floor
- take out a dedicated cycle insurance policy or add your bike to your house insurance
For more information on protecting items in your home, visit our home protection page.
Stay safe buying a used bike online
When buying a second-hand bike, make sure the seller owns it. Ideally, only buy from someone you know and trust.
If the price is super cheap, it might be stolen. You could:
- ask for proof, like a receipt, the seller owns the bike
- check the frame number online to see if it has been reported stolen
If you believe you are being offered a stolen bike, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the Crimestoppers website.