12 Tips to Prevent your Bike from Being Stolen

Bike Security Best Practices

On average, nearly 200,000 bicycles are reported stolen each year. Don’t let yours be next. A little extra care, along with the locks and solutions recommended below, can help ensure yours stays safe.

• Pick a smart lock spot. Ideally it will be anchored to the ground and hard to tamper with.
• Don’t count on cameras or crowds. The former don’t typically help once the thief has succeeded, and the latter can actually help detract attention from a theft-in-progress.
• Don’t forget the frame. Secure the frame, not just the front or rear wheel. Many bikes have quick-release levers attaching the wheel to the frame, allowing a thief to swipe the bike with a flick of the thumb.
• Lock high. As high up on the bike as you can. If the cable, chain or U-lock is on the ground, it’s easier for a prepared thief to use an angle grinder or bolt cutters, with the ground as extra leverage.