4. Keep your bike safe
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There is no lock that is 100% foolproof, and the odds are that at some time, your bike or a cycling accessory will be stolen. Still, there are definitely ways to make your bike safer.
Keeping your bike safe
First, lock it up
• Always lock your bike, even if it’s in your garage or apartment building. Always
• Lock it to something solid, like a bike rail. Don’t lock it to something that can be removed (like scaffolding) or pulled out of the ground (like loose signs or fence posts). Make sure your bike can’t be lifted up and removed over the top of what you’ve locked it to. If your workplace needs more bike parking, contact Bicycle Victoria, the Bike Parking Experts.
• Lock your bike in a well-lit, visible area where people are walking past
• Lock your bike where there are other bikes. A bike thief is interested in a fast getaway, and if your bike is securely locked next to a bike that isn’t—well, it’s a jungle out there and bike parking is survival of the fittest
• When using a U-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 up, the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack your lock
• Always position a U-lock so that the keyway is facing down toward the ground. This makes it more difficult for a thief to attack it
• Always secure your components and accessories, especially wheels with quick releases, with a secondary cable lock
• Don’t lock your bike only to itself (i.e. the wheel locked to the frame). It can be easily picked up and carried away.
• For the greatest theft deterrence, use two locks, e.g. a U-lock and a locking cable. The longer it takes a thief to get through your bike security, the less likely your bike will be stolen
Mark it
• OK, only 10% of bikes reported stolen are returned to their owners. But it may be your lucky day. The police can return it to you if you engrave your licence number (with V for Victoria in front) on the bike frame. Underneath the bottom bracket (the lowest part of the bike frame where the pedals rotate in the frame) is a good place.
• Some police stations will engrave your bike for free, so it'sworth checking with your local station. Otherwise come along to community events such as Ride to Work Day and Bike Path Discovery Day where engraving is provided. Bring along your drivers license for verification
Find out about more general insurance options
Find about more about covering your bike with CycleSafe Home™ Insurance.
