According to the British Crime Survey around 300,000 bikes are stolen every year in England and Wales and only 5 per cent are returned.To try and combat the problem, LCC have just launched a major anti-theft campaign 'Beat the Thief'.
Cycling has become increasingly popular as a healthier and environmentally friendlier mode of transport. In London, for example, cycle use has increased by 83 percent between 2000 and 2007.
However, several studies by Bikeoff, suggest that fear of bike theft may discourage bicycle use, and that many bicycle theft victims do not buy a replacement. Combating bicycle theft, by launching the ‘Beat the Thief’ campaign is a necessary step towards decreasing theft itself, as well as increasing the awareness for bike commuters about protecting their bikes from thieves.
The ‘Beat the Thief’ campaign calls for:
- An increase in police activity to help reduce theft
- Return more recovered bikes to their owners
- The addition of secure parking provision
- Better education for cyclists.
Luckily, there are some safety measures that you can take to make sure you’re not the next victim.
Here are a few tips to help prevent bike theft:
1. Lock your bike, correctly; with a good lock and in the right place. Lock both wheels and the frame to a bike stand or a strong immovable object.
2. Register your bike; keep a record of your bike’s make and model and frame, even take a picture. Without the information the police may not be able to return your bike if they do find it. It’s free and easy to register your bike at www.immobilise.com.
3. Buy a decent lock, there are lots of locks to choose from such as D-lock / U-lock, Chains, Padlocks and Cable Locks. Expect to pay up to £40 upwards for a secure locking system.
4. Locks are not for life- keep your lock up to date. If your lock is rusty and falling apart then it’s not going to help keep your bike safe. Any cyclist knows the importance of a sturdy, reliable bike lock. Check out the range of bike locks at Wheelies.