There's nothing quite like a brand new bike. It's a brilliant option for exercise and daily commuting - especially in the midst of a pandemic. But there's also a sense of nostalgia that comes with buying a new bike that you don't get with many other "grown-up" purchases... That's why falling victim to a bike theft feels like an emotional blow.
If you have insurance that covers bike theft, that's definitely a relief. But that doesn't heal the wound caused by the theft. Because let's face it - the first thought that probably goes through your head after your bike is stolen is: "I knew I shouldn't have locked my bike over there," or "I knew from the start that I should have locked the bike better," or " Why am I such a stupid idiot?"
The majority of bike thefts are preventable, which makes realizing that your bike has been stolen even worse. To avoid this nightmare, we asked a few bike experts and bike theft experts (people whose bikes have been stolen - not the people who steal bikes) for some tips on how to best protect your bike.
Play it safe and check that your bike is really locked
OK, let's start with the (almost painfully) obvious. When you lock your bike... make sure it's actually locked.
Take a cue from practicalpal.net senior editor Scott Indrisek. "I lost my beloved Fuji Feather singlespeed a few months ago because I went to a Thai restaurant for dinner and left my bike 'locked' outside," Scott says in the dejected voice of someone who knows he's screwed up.
“Forty-five minutes later I came back out only to find my bike gone and my sturdy U-lock still dangling from the street sign exactly where I had attached it.”
When you buy a new bike, you always feel a touch of nostalgia that you don't get with many other "grown-up" purchases. That's why it feels like an emotional blow to fall victim to a bike theft.
In his haste to finish a plate of Thai basil chicken, Scott did the unthinkable: he locked his bike to a bollard without making sure that part of the bike was included in the equation. "A painful lesson," laments Scott.
While this may seem like an easily avoidable faux pas, it does happen, especially when you're in a hurry. So just double check to make sure that a) your bike is actually connected to the lock, and that b) the lock itself is securely fastened.
Also obvious - never leave your bike unattended under any circumstances - even if you're just quickly buying some chewing gum from the shop around the corner. That would make every bike thief's dream come true.
How and where you should lock your bike
A poorly locked bike will disappear quickly, especially if you live in a big city. Spending a few extra minutes thinking about how and where you lock your bike will help prevent your beloved steed from falling victim to bike napping.
“Attaching only the front or rear wheel to a post is a common mistake,” Javier S., owner of New York City’s Bushwick Bicycle Shop, told us. This is especially true for bikes with quick-release locks, a clamping device that allows the front and rear wheels to be removed with ease.
"If you have quick-release wheels, it makes it much easier for anyone to just remove the wheels and take the frame with them," Javier told us. "Make sure you always lock the wheels together with the frame." For the extra cautious among us, it might be a good idea to use two locks: a classic U-lock for the bike frame and a chain or cable lock that goes through both wheels.
Location is also extremely important. If you are in a big city like Berlin , Frankfurt or Hamburg, there are plenty of scaffolding, street signs and fence posts that can act as bike racks. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before you let your bike out of your sight. Your bike is only as safe as the object it is attached to. Look for an immovable object that is also not easily destroyed.
When it comes to locking your bike, not all locations are safe. Avoid unsecured street signs or fences, and be extremely careful if you lock your bike to scaffolding.
Double check the street sign to make sure it's securely anchored to the ground. It's not uncommon for street signs to become loose, allowing a thief to shake them out of position and remove your bike with ease. You should also avoid locking your bike to wooden fences or thin pieces of steel - or generally anything that can be quickly cut with bolt cutters.
If you lock your bike to scaffolding, only lock it to the vertical beams. The horizontal beams of scaffolding can easily be unscrewed and removed, making your bike extremely vulnerable. If possible, try to avoid scaffolding altogether. Scaffolding is a temporary structure - the longer you lock your bike there, the more likely it is that you will never see it again.
Make your bike theft-proof
If you are serious about the security of your bike, it is worth investing in a few simple modifications that can significantly reduce the likelihood of it being stolen.
These may involve a locking system for your wheels or a seat clamp. Javier from Bushwick Bicycle Shop suggests using thru-axle locks (e.g. from Pinhead, or other brands) to ensure that your wheels cannot be removed quickly. Another effective example is the Nut-Fix system from ABUS. It involves a steel nut that is attached to your wheels and covered with a cap. This cannot be opened while standing, but only when your bike is on its side. So if you lock your bike in an upright position, et voilá, no one will be able to remove your wheels. These types of mechanisms are relatively inexpensive, and you don't have the hassle of using a few different locks to lock your bike frame plus both wheels at the same time.
And don't forget your cool bike accessories. That expensive gel saddle you bought is super comfortable and looks great too - local bike thieves would probably agree. So, if your saddle has a quick release that lets you easily adjust the saddle height, take the saddle with you when you lock up your bike - or swap the quick release for a regular clamp bolt that can't be easily loosened by hand.
Your local bike shop can also simply thread a chain between the frame and the saddle rail, which is another way to prevent saddle theft. If terms like "clamp bolt" and "saddle rail" mean nothing to you, just go to your local bike shop and ask them if they can make your saddle theft-proof! Fun fact : You can also use the aforementioned Nut-Fix system from ABUS to secure your bike saddle.
Pro tip for e-bikes : As you probably know, the e-bike's battery is particularly valuable. If it is not permanently installed, it is advisable to take it with you as soon as you connect your e-bike somewhere. Thieves can steal the battery really quickly, sometimes even in the middle of the day.
While you're at it, make sure you write down your bike's frame number and keep it somewhere safe and accessible along with your proof of purchase. If you want to be extra safe, you can personalize your bike by having the police add a special bike code - either in the form of an engraving or a sticker. An additional recommended step is to register your bike online: enter all the data such as bike model, special features, owner info, etc., add a photo of the bike and get your personal "bike pass". This can be really helpful later when you need to prove that it is really your bike. In addition, you can use the police's "bike pass app" - and store all your bike data online. If push comes to shove, you can simply send it to the police and your insurance company.
One final, fairly obvious tip: get a bike that fits your risk profile. If you live in a tiny studio apartment in the middle of a crowded city and know you have nowhere to store your bike indoors, it's probably time to accept that you absolutely shouldn't buy that €7,000 titanium road bike - even if you've been eyeing it for so long. It also depends on which city you live in. If you call Leipzig, Göttingen or Münster your home, you might want to consider buying a cheaper bike from the start - these cities top the list of places with the highest theft rate per 100,000 inhabitants.
Are there any anti-theft locks at all?
Bike thieves are innovative, which means it's unlikely anyone will ever develop a bike lock that's 100 percent theft-proof. However, investing in a lock that's difficult to break can at least reduce the likelihood of theft. There's no easy way around it: A quality bike lock is a bit of a hassle. But cheap, lightweight cable locks can be easily cut by clever thieves, so a little inconvenience is worth it.
Regarding the best bike locks - here we got the expert opinion from Chip. Together with one of their partners they have listed the best bike locks in the various categories. Hold on tight, because here they come:
- Category Cable lock: Abus Ivera Steel-O-Flex 7200
- Category U-lock: Abus Granit X-Plus 540
- Best folding lock: Abus Bordo 6000 and
- Best chain lock: Hiplok Gold
How to get a stolen bike back
Let's assume that you followed all of this advice and somehow your bike was stolen anyway. You could first call your local police station to file a report and then (assuming you are the proud owner of insurance that covers bike theft) file a claim to get the money you need for a new bike.
Or maybe you've been preparing for this situation since the day you picked up your bike. We're certainly not suggesting you start your own search, but there are definitely some steps you can take to make the process of recovering your stolen bike a little easier.
The first would be to get a GPS tracker. This might sound like something straight out of a Bond movie, but welcome to 2020, baby. These days, GPS trackers are tiny, affordable, and can be bought online or at a bike shop. These won't prevent your bike from being stolen, but can potentially make tracking easier if it does happen.
Or go the old school way. One possible tactic is to write a short note on a tiny piece of paper and stick it in the seat post of the bike. Often thieves steal the bike with the intention of immediately reselling it, for example on eBay. On your note, along with your cell phone number, you can write something like: "If this bike was sold by anyone other than [your name], it has been stolen". This might be a bit far-fetched, but it's definitely worth a try and only takes three seconds.
Does home contents insurance cover bicycle theft?
Yes and no. Your bike is first and foremost part of your household goods and is therefore protected against burglary under your home contents insurance. So if someone breaks into your locked bike cellar (with visible signs of break-in!) and takes your bike, you will be paid for the damage. However, basic home contents insurance does not apply if your beloved bike is stolen from another location, outside your own four walls, as if chained up in front of your favorite café. However, you should check whether your insurance contains a bike clause that automatically protects your bike against theft, even under your home contents policy. Nevertheless, you should play it safe and inspect your policy more closely to see whether this is really the case.
Also check what the lock requirements are, whether there is a night-time clause (time between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when bikes are not protected against theft), whether parts theft is included and how high the reimbursement amount is.
And how is your carbon baby protected against theft at practicalpal.net, you ask?
At practicalpal.net, you can easily add the anti-theft package to your existing home contents policy. This protects your belongings against theft (not just your bike!), whether you're sitting in the university library or on holiday in the allotment garden. But please remember to always lock your bike, otherwise it won't be insured. If your bike is worth more than 5,000 euros, you should also activate the extra protection, add it separately to your insurance policy and have it confirmed by the practicalpal.net team.
And if things get tough and you need to report a bike theft, you can do so in no time at all using the practicalpal.net app. Click on the "Damage" button, briefly describe what happened, and submit the damage report to the police.
At the end of the day, bike theft is pretty preventable. With a few sturdy locks and the knowledge of how and where to lock your bike effectively, you should be well protected. And if all else fails, be prepared and have insurance to cover your back. Safe riding!