Lock it, don't lose it!

Just about the only downside to cycling’s growth in popularity is that bikes have become more popular with criminals too. While most bike crime is opportunist there is growing evidence that organised gangs are also turning their attention to stealing bikes.

 

So what can you do to beat the crimes? Well, there are three basic rules of cycle security, the first being to get a good lock. The usual rule of thumb is to spend 20 per cent of the price of your bike on security. For peace of mind go for one with a Sold Secure rating D-locks are better than cables but any lock is better than none – even if it’s little more than a visual deterrent. We’ve got a full range of locks to meet all your bike locking needs in-store. To get the best level of protection from your lock you need to lock your bike properly – that’s the second rule of cycle security.

 

Always fill the shackle with as much bike as possible, because that gives thieves less space to play with, and always put your lock through the back wheel – that makes it harder to steal the rear derailleur too. If your commuting bike has quick release skewers on the wheels either replace them with locking skewers or bolts, or take the front wheel off and lock that to the back wheel whenever you are parking up. When you are out and about always lock your bike to something secure - not trees, fences or posts! Try to lock it up where it is fairly busy – leave it somewhere quiet and a thief has more time to work on it undisturbed. Rule three is actually the most basic of them all but it’s one even streetwise cyclists sometimes forget.

 

Never leave your bike unlocked and unattended for even a moment, even if you keep it in plain sight. You may think there’s no-one watching when you nip in to the newsagents for a paper or some mid ride fuel but if you’re wrong your bike will be gone when you get back. Lock it, it’ll take a few extra seconds but that is still a lot less time than it will take you to walk home. Remember the rules, and use them, and your bike will stay “your” bike.

 

Kryptonite Kryptolok 2 Shackle Lock (Sold Secure Silver Rating)  £29.99 £19.99

Abus Centro 860 Cable Lock (Sold Secure Gold Rating) £36.99 £31.99

Kryptonite Evolution 4 Shackle Lock  £49.99 £39.99