Bicycle theft is a big worry to all cyclists, especially when you consider the fact that about 1.5 to 3 million bicycles are stolen globally every year. Bicycles are an easy target for thieves as they can be easily stored and transported. Furthermore, the fact that some people do not report the theft to authorities encourages more theft. Luckily, there some steps you can take to look after your bike that will discourage theft and ensure that your bike stays in your possession.
Things you should do to protect your bike
1. Buy a safe, reliable lock
The safety of your bike can be equated to the quality and reliability of your bike. The bike lock ensures that nobody without your authorization can use the bike. Unfortunately, some low bike locks do not offer any level of resistance and hence, it is important to ensure that you are using only a high-quality lock. The best quality bike locks make it more difficult, time-consuming and irritating for a thief to free your bike, increasing the chances of the thief being caught. The best bike lock should be both secure enough to protect your bike and easy enough to use on a daily basis.
2. Mind where you park your bike
A bike is more likely to be stolen if it is parked in a deserted isolated place or in an overcrowded place. People rarely seek help for others when there are other people present. You should park your bike in a well-exposed place where it is easily visible. A place with a security camera is more ideal as thieves will be deterred by the presence of the security camera.
3. Register your bike and install a GPS tracker
Although your aim should be to make sure that the bike is not stolen, you should also make sure that it is easy to recover it in case it is stolen. To register your bike, you will need the manufacturer, the model and the unique serial number of your bike. If your bike gets lost or stolen, the police will use the unique code to trace it back. You should also consider installing a hidden GPS tracker that will always inform you of the location of your bike. You can also consider using other security items such as bike alarm that will always warn you when the bike is moved.
4. Always keep your bike indoors at all
You should always keep your bike indoors whenever you can. Even if you will be indoors for a few minutes, it is best to be safe than sorry. You should never leave your bike outdoors at night or exposed in the hallway. Instead, you should use a storage solution that is best for your bike and your living space. You should also make sure that the bike is always locked with a quality bike lock even when it is kept indoors.
5. Buy insurance for your bike
Bike insurance is not compulsory but it is necessary, especially if your bike is expensive. You should consider insurance premium a small price that you have to pay for the comforting feeling of safety and protection of your bike. However, you should be mindful of the reasonable precautions that come with an insurance cover.
Looking after your bike may require you to combine several precautions. In addition to preventative measures such as using a quality bike lock, you should also consider buying insurance cover for your bike. You should also avoid parking your bike in the same place every day. Parking in the same place every day will make your bike attract some unwanted attention. It is also wise to keep your bike covered whenever you transport it with a car.
