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8 tips to prevent bicycle theft Double up your security by using two high-quality locks. Use your locks to keep your wheels from being stolen, too. Swap quick-release seat and wheel skewers for ones that require keys. Make your bike unique. Try out a smart lock. Always bring your bike inside at night.
Why is bike theft so common?
In 2019/2020, around 14% of bikes were stolen from “grounds of a public place”, including local shops, supermarkets, gyms, pubs, football clubs, and more. Another 5% were stolen from outside the workplace (or the workplace car park), and another 9% were taken straight from the streets.
How can I make my bike less attractive to thieves?
If you must leave your bike locked in a public place, don’t make it look too perfect and shiny. Some dirt or duct tape can make it look less attractive to the crooks. For bicycle protection tape your seatpost, handlebars, and various places on your frame to make your bike parts look worn and shabby.
Do people still steal bikes?
The FBI publishes the percentage of bikes reported stolen each year in their yearly edition of Crime in the United States which is available on the FBI’s website, www.fbi.gov. In 2019, bicycles represented 3.1% of larceny-theft reported, second only to motor vehicles.
Do bike thieves get caught?
“It’s just a low priority, to be honest with you,” says Sergeant Joe McCloskey, a bike-theft specialist with the San Francisco police department who estimates that, of the scores of bicycle thieves he has caught, not one did jail time for the crime. Even when police do care, there’s often not much they can do.
What should I do if someone stole my bike?
Notify local cops that your bike has been stolen. Have an officer come and take down the report, if you can, or go to the station with your information, including the bike’s serial number, make, model, and photos for the report.
Do bike covers deter theft?
While a lock can deter bike theft, having one doesn’t always keep a bicycle safe. Parts can be stripped from the frame, chains can get broken and wheels can get flattened. A bicycle cover is very useful in this regard. If a thief cannot see a bicycle, it is less likely they will take the time to steal it.
Are bike thieves common?
On average, over 188,500 bicycle thefts are reported stolen each year in the United States, a statistic that in itself is staggering when one also considers the number of bicycle thefts that go unreported. Some US cities are starting to fight back against bicycle theft.
How often are bicycles stolen?
A bicycle is stolen every 30 seconds in the United States. That’s roughly two million bikes a year, totaling about $350 million .
Where do bikes get stolen the most?
An uptick in theft has occurred in other cities across the U.S., too. It’s a growing problem in Denver, Colorado, where 3,205 bikes have been stolen so far this year, compared to 3,283 bikes stolen in all of 2019.
How do you keep a bike safe?
Follow these 10 tips to ensure your bike remains safe, secure and not a statistic. Double lock it. Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Lock the lot. Secure it. Take removable parts with you. Park securely. Register it. Mark it. Remember safety begins at home.
Which bike lock is safest?
Our pick. Kryptonite New-U Evolution Mini-7 With Double Loop Cable. The best bike lock. Upgrade pick. Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini. An even stronger lock. Also great. Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain. Best chain for the money. Also great. Kryptonite Keeper 585. A medium-security folding lock.
What do bike thieves do with stolen bikes?
However, McCloskey said bikes stolen in the city often are recovered at flea markets around the Bay Area. He believes thieves ship them out of the city to decrease the chance of being caught. The National Bike Registry reports bikes are often moved to other cities or even other states for sale.
How can I check if my bike is stolen?
How to know if a bike is stolen? A definitive way to find out if its stolen is by asking for the bike’s serial number and putting it into a bike registry database to check. Also Look for red flags such as too good of a price, spray painted bike, or a seller who gives little information.
Why do thieves steal bike wheels?
The front wheel is a very standard item, easily resold. The back wheel has all the expensive parts on it. They are stolen sometimes because people lock the bike frame but NOT the wheels, as that takes more time. Wheels usually come off fast, they have something called a ‘quick release’, on any bike worth thieving.
Do I really need a bike lock?
Don’t leave your bike unlocked. But there are plenty of places outside of major cities where there’s (usually) no real need to lock a bike. If you’ve forgotten your lock or your keys and you absolutely must run into the grocery store, you still have options.
