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.
E-bikes owners also need to be aware that the theft of batteries are increasingly being targeted as popularity and demand for e-bikes continues to grow.
Tips to prevent bicycle theft
Find secure cycle parking
Make sure you:
- try to find recognised secure cycle parking, which is well lit and covered by CCTV
- secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give thieves little room to manoeuvre
- lock the frame and both wheels, if possible, to the parking stand
- keep locks off the floor, as they are more vulnerable when on the ground
- avoid cable-style locks and never buy a lock with a combination
Buy the most secure locks
Whatever the type of lock, look for the Secured by Design (SBD) logo or see their list of approved bike lock suppliers.
All SBD-approved cycle locks have been independently accredited to the Sold Secure standard run by the Master Locksmiths Association.
Security mark your bike with BikeRegister
Mark your bike with a unique code and register it online at BikeRegister. This helps us return it to you if it is stolen.
BikeRegister uses Selectamark’s UV clear etching compound, which is SBD-recognised, acts as a visible deterrent to thieves, and is an established method of reducing theft.
Look out for our bike marking events in your area, where Neighbourhood Policing Teams help to register your bike.
Record your bike’s details
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)
- your bike’s details, such as size, make and model, and details of any modifications you made
- a clear photo
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 safe in public
Ideally, when securing your bike to a cycle stand in a public place, use two D locks. Put:
- one D lock through the front wheel and down tube
- the other D lock through the back wheel and seat tube
Secure both locks to the cycle stand. This will 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.
You could:
- ask for a receipt to prove 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.