Bicycle theft is unfortunately a thriving business and remains one of the biggest deterrents to daily cycling. Indeed, in some cities, cycling is essential for easy travel, but how can you properly protect your bike against theft?
Discover the 5 steps to protect yourself as much as possible from the risk of your bike being stolen:
There are just a few key actions you can take to significantly reduce the risk of theft. To begin with, it is important to have reliable and robust protective equipment.
1- Choosing the right lock is an essential step; choose a sturdy lock with a high level of security. There are several types of locks (U-lock, frame lock, chain lock, cable lock, etc.). Ask your bike shop for advice on which lock is best suited to your bike. A great tool to help you find your way around is our friends at the FUB (bicycle user federation).
2- Properly locking your bike is essential for optimal security. It is important to always lock your bike to a fixed point (barrier, bike rack, post, etc.), whether at home or on the street. Properly locking your bike with a suitable lock can reduce the risk of theft by more than 90%. Lock your bike twice instead of once! Two locks on your bike will increase the time needed to steal your bike and will further deter potential thieves.
3- Having your bike marked is very important in case of theft. The marking will allow the bike to be identified if it is found and returned to its owner. Since 2021, the marking of new bicycles and electric bicycles has become mandatory. All markings are listed on the FNUCI, the national cycle identification file. APIC (association for the promotion and identification of cycles) works daily to secure our bicycles and provides a lot of useful information.
4- Taking out insurance for your bike has also become an increasingly common practice. It can be taken out directly with your insurance company or through insurers specializing in urban mobility. Indeed, some bikes, especially electric bikes, can be very expensive and it would therefore be wise to insure them in the same way as a car, motorcycle, etc. The legislation is set to evolve in the coming years as the bike becomes a real mobility device (at least recognized as such).
5- Equipping your bike with a GPS tracking solution is also a good addition in case of theft. The tracker allows you to know in real time where the bike is and to be alerted in case of suspicious movement.
Discover all the solutions offered by Trackap here .