LOCK IT AND LOOK AFTER YOUR BIKE

Don’t create a market for stolen goods – if you see a bike being offered for sale online or in person at a suspiciously cheap price, think twice. You can check whether a bike has been reported stolen through www.bikeregister.com. If you buy a bike that’s later identified as stolen you’ll lose the bike and what you paid for it, and could face investigation yourself.

You can make it harder for thieves to steal your bikes and easier for police officers to identify property as stolen:

•   if you can, store your bicycles securely in your home. If this isn’t possible, keep them locked to a ground anchor in a secure shed or garage fitted with an alarm
•   double-lock your bikes using two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-Lock
•   get your bikes security-marked and ensure you register them at www.bikeregister.com
•   record the details of your bicycles including the frame or serial number and identifying marks and take photo

• Be different, many riders do nothing when they park their bikes, think security.
• Buy an anti-theft deterrent. Chains and padlocks, disk locks, U-locks, bike covers and immobilisers are all good deterrents. Always use two different locks, one for each wheel.
• Consider installing a kill switch that is hidden from view. This will prevent thieves from starting the bike without knowing where the switch is located.
• Lock your bike to something immovable like railings, lamp posts or a bike post. Keep chains as tight to the machine as possible and try to ensure they are off the ground.
• Park your bike where it can be seen in a well-lit location with high footfall, ideally covered by CCTV. If empty, leave your seat open.
• Use the steering lock when parked. Remove accessories to prevent them being stolen.
• Always lock your bike at home. Use a cover over your bike if it is outside. If you can, keep your bike in an alarmed secure garage. Lock your bike to a Sold Secure or Thatcham approved ground anchor.
• Register your motorcycle, and any serial numbered parts, on the Immobilise database to help police trace your bike if it is stolen.