That ‘heart in mouth’ moment when you return to the spot where you left your bike to find it missing is not a nice one. However, it’s not all that uncommon either.
A report emerged earlier this year which looked into home burglaries and theft – it revealed that in the UK, bikes are the most commonly stolen item from a home.
The experiences behind the study hit home when we hear personal stories – such as that of British downhill racer, Manon Carpenter who had her entire fleet stolen from her house. Fortunately, thanks to social media for raising mass awareness, her bikes were eventually recovered. Sadly not everyone gets to enjoy such a happy ending.
On the streets, where theft doesn’t carry the added penalties of breaking and entering, missing bikes are an even greater issue. However, regardless if your bike is at home or away, you can protect yourself with a quality lock.
Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe
Many thieves are opportunists, so if you’re leaving your bike unattended, a bike lock is essential to minimise any temptation. However, it’s also a good idea to use one inside the home, to secure your beloved to an immovable object.
There’s a variety of bike locks on the market, some are more secure than others, but they all have a common purpose: to protect your bike. Whilst there is no such thing as a unbreakable bike lock, they all act as very successful deterrents.
When selecting a bike lock, there’s a number of things to consider:
- LENGTH/SIZE: The length or size of your locking device will depend on how many bikes you’re looking to lock up. Consider what purposes you have for the lock and choose an appropriate length or size for your bike.
- FRAME PROTECTION: Whilst many locks come encased in a vinyl or cloth housing, it’s important to make sure that your frame won’t be damaged or scratched.
- KEYS: Keys and combination locks are the most common types of lock. Keys are generally more reliable and secure over combination locks, but there are drawbacks if you’re prone to losing things…
- SOLD SECURE RATING: There’s a grading system in place for security devices. A majority of locks undergo strength testing, as well as a variety of other “breaking” tests to determine how easily a lock can be broken into. The Gold Sold Secure standard is the best rating available.
- DIFFICULTY: The more complex the lock looks, the less likely an opportunistic thief will attempt to break it.
- TYPE: There’s generally 3 bike lock types to choose from, each with their own purpose for security. Cable Locks, U-Locks/D-Locks and Chain Locks
