Advertorial Feature
Having your bike stolen is one of the worst things that can happen to any cyclist; but knowing that you could have done more to prevent it happening is even worse. So, whether you cycle to work each day or hit the trails at the weekend there are many things you can do to keep your bike safe. From cycle locks, to city schemes here’s where you should start.
• Always make sure you lock your bike if you leave it unattended - a D-lock is usually the best option
• Make sure you opt to lock your bike in a spot where there are lots of people around and where there is a high level of natural surveillance
• Lock both the wheel and frame to make it more secure
• Secure or remove any detachable items such as wheels, saddles, lights, and cycle helmets (yes you should always wear your helmet when cycling to work)
Home and contents insurance
It’s always advisable to insure your bike, with the easiest way to do this by extending your home and contents insurance. Make sure that the cover extends to thefts from outside the home to cover you when you leave it during work or when you pop to the shops. If your bike is top of the range, you may need to seek out separate insurance to ensure you’re getting an adequate level of cover.
Registration schemes
Stolen bikes often turn up with the police, but it’s often very difficult to trace them back to the owner. However, those bike owners who register their bike with one of the many available registration schemes will make life a lot easier and be able to be reunited with their bike once recovered by the police.
If you register your bike, you’ve got a much higher chance of it being returned by the police if stolen.
Look into different options in your city
Many employers have signed up to the Ride2Work scheme whereby you’ll get a cheaper bike with payments taken out of your salary each month, acting as an incentive to encourage more of us to ride to work and do our bit for the environment. But it’s not just through your employer where you’ll get some assistance, with many local authorities offering cycle parking spaces throughout major cities in the UK – with additional security. Certain councils are also providing spaces where you can leave your bike securely during the day and also enjoy a shower to make sure you enter your office fresh for the day – eliminating two of the biggest issues associated with cycling to work.
If cycling is your thing, always make sure you look after your bike.