CYCLE SECURITY TIPS

Lock it well

·         Make sure you lock the frame to the stand.  Avoid locking the bike by a wheel or by the handlebars.  These can be removed easily, allowing a thief to take most of your bike. 

·         Secure both wheels, either by replacing the quick releases with locking security skewers, or by using a secondary lock.

·         Remove any accessories or small parts that you can’t secure – such as bags, saddles with quick-release clamps, lights, or pumps.

·         Fill as much of the lock with your bike.  The less space there is in the lock, the more difficult it is for a thief to manoeuvre it around to smash the lock.  Always point the lock facing down, so that it is more difficult for a thief to access the locking mechanism.

Be smart about where you leave your bike

·         Always lock to an immovable object.

·         When storing your bike at home, avoid anywhere that people unknown to you might have access.  This includes back gardens and communal hallways.  If you must leave your bike in one of these areas, treat it like a public space and always lock to an immovable object.

·         Avoid leaving your bike in dark and secluded spaces.

·         If you have an expensive (or expensive-looking) bike, try not to leave it in the same place everyday. 

·         Avoid racks that only hold the front wheel, or posts that your bike can be lifted over.

Use a good lock

·         Sold Secure is an independent auditing body for bike lock effectiveness.  They claim that their bronze lock will resist the attempts of an opportunist, and their gold lock will be enough to keep the professional thief at bay. 

·         Other countries have different systems for rating bike locks, such as ART in the Netherlands and VDS in Germany. 

·         You can always research potential lock purchases on the internet.  Cycling organisations and consumer affairs groups frequently conduct lock tests.  Forums may be good places to hear anecdotes about what works or doesn’t work.

Insure your bike

·         Make sure that you will be covered financially in the event that your bike disappears.  You can purchase bicycle-specific insurance, or you may be able to add it to your home insurance.  CTC offers discount insurance to our members.

Register your bike with the police

·         Police departments throughout the country run bike tagging and registration schemes.  Your local police department will be able to give you more information.

·         You can register your bike with Immobilise, the UK national property register.

Do your part to break the cycle of cycle theft

·         If your bike is stolen, inform the police. 

·         Don’t buy a second-hand bicycle unless you are sure that the seller does indeed own it.

You can learn more at:

The Home Office’s Steer Clear of Cycle Theft

London Cycling Campaign’s Cycle Security – Lock it or lose it!

 At the moment we have no FAQ as such on Locks & security, but you can browse the Questions and Answers provided to letters from CTC members on this subject that have been published in the CTC magazine over the past few years.

We think you’ll probably find the answer to your question there, but if not: CTC members may email the CTC Technical Department for further assistance. Remember to give your membership number and/or postcode, as we do not promise to answer technical questions from non-members.