Fight bike crime
Reduce the chances of your bike being stolen
Keep your bike safer
Don’t risk having your bike stolen – follow our four simple tips to keep your bike safer.
To protect it, register it. As soon as you buy your new bike (or straight away if you already own one) register the model, make and frame number of your bike at Immobilise that way if your bike is stolen the police can identify and return it.
Buy a good lock – or preferably two. Check the London Cycling Campaign website for information on different types of lock. You can expect to pay about £40 or allow for 20% of the value of your cycle on a locks.
Get insurance. The easiest way to do this is to add your bike to your home contents insurance – just check that your policy covers you for thefts outside the home. If your bike is very valuable you might need to insure it separately.
Lock it or lose it. Make it more difficult for thieves to take your bike by locking it properly:
- Make sure your leave your bike where everyone can see it – they will also see if someone is trying to steal it.
- Make sure the lock catches the bike frame as well as the wheel and the post. You don’t want a thief to be able to steal the bike and leave the wheel behind.
- Use a bike stand if there is one available.
- Don't leave your bike in the same place every day – it will be noticed.
- Locks can be picked, so face the lock to the ground (but not resting on it) so it can't easily be turned upwards for picking.
- Make it impossible for a thief to smash the lock open: fill the D part of a lock with as much of the bike as possible and never leave the lock lying on the pavement – a lock can be sledge hammered easily when it's resting on the ground.
- Take with you any items that can be removed without tools – wheels, lights, pump, computer, panniers, seat post and saddle.
For information on how you can take advantage of a new crime-busting scheme being run successfully by Richmond Council, visit
'Operation Lockout'.