Bike Safety

Always park your bike with a strong and secure lock. The strongest are generally D-locks which must be opened with a key.

They are designed to be very hard to cut through, even with an angle grinder. At Crime Stoppers we have seen multiple offenders who carry bolt cutters in their backpacks.

When parking your bike ensure both the frame and at least one wheel are locked up. Some people carry two locks to secure both wheels.

If you own a bike, it is a good idea to engrave your own ID number into the bike. This increases your chance of being reunited with your bike should it be stolen.

Be careful where and how you park your bike at home. Don't leave it on the front porch or unlocked in the apartment car park as these are common locations for bike thefts.

If you park your bike in public regularly think about replacing some of the quick release mechanisms on the wheels and seat.

Sometimes thieves will steal a seat or wheel if they can just pop open the quick release. These quick release mechanisms can be replaced with nuts and bolts that need tools to undo them. Your local bike shop can assist.

Parkiteer bike parking facilities at railway stations and public transport hubs are special, secure rooms to park bikes in. They are free to use but can only be accessed by registered users with an access card.

Parkiteer means you can leave your bike at a station during the day knowing that it is not out in the open. Parkiteers are also located closer to platforms than car parks, so your trip to the station can also be quicker and easier if you ride.

You should still use a secure lock to lock your bike in a Parkiteer and not leave it in the cage for extended periods of time.

If you use a cycling app to upload your rides online you should always start and end the ride a little bit away from your front door. Sadly, thieves use these apps to find people who ride, see their address and target their bike.