securing your bike
Generally the more expensive the lock, the stronger it is, but thieves these days come prepared and they can get through even the toughest of locks. The trick is to combine your strong lock with a well thought out location and a few other facts. Allow us to give you all the top tips for holding on to your bike and avoiding thieves.
     
Top Bike Security Tips
  1. It might sound obvious but always lock your bike. Opportunistic bike theft is the most commonly reported type of bike theft. An unlocked bike is not likely to be covered by your insurance.
  2. Lock to a fixed, immovable object like a parking meter or permanent bike rack. Be careful not to lock your bike to anything that can be easily cut, broken or removed e.g something wooden. Be careful that your bike can't be lifted over the top of the object you've locked it to either (a common error is locking it to a sign!)
  3. Lock in a well-lit area with a lot of pedestrians
  4. Lock in a location where there are other bikes. The chances are pretty good that there will be a bike with less security, or no security, right near yours. Thieves will go for the easiest target every time
  5. When using a D-lock, position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much of the open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack and twist your lock.
  6. If possible always position the locking mechanism in a position that makes it hard for a thief to get at. Locks on the ground are more easily leveraged for attack.
  7. For the greatest theft protection use two locks such as a D-lock and a locking cable. The longer a thief will have to work, the less likely your bike will be stolen
  8. Don't lock your bike to itself by simply locking the front wheel to the frame. A bike 'locked' like this can easily be lifted and carried away
  9. Avoid thieves targeting your bike not always locking in the same location. Mix up the locations a little bit, especially if you are a commuter
  10. Don't lock to anything illegal. It locked to private property the owners have the legal right to remove it
  11. Use a smaller chain or cable lock to secure any quick release components such as wheels and saddles
  12. Always check your lock before leaving your bike to be sure you have secured it properly
  13. If you have or are going to get insurance for your bike remember to check with the insurers what type of lock they approve
     

What not to do - lock your bike to a post it can be lifted off!

     

D Lock and Chain lock to secure the bike

     

 
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