How to Theft-Proof Your Bicycle

There is no guaranteed way to prevent bike theft, but you can make your bike harder and less appealing to steal than the bikes parked around it. The work is mostly done at the rack, with a good lock used properly, and at home, by recording and registering your bike. Expect to pay at least the equivalent of around £40 for a decent lock, and to buy two if you can.

• A heavy-duty lock, ideally two: a small U-lock plus a square-link chain, or a U-lock plus a cable
• A certified Sold Secure lock, if you can find one where you are
• A bike rack or other immovable object to lock to
• Your bike's serial number, usually found on the bottom of the bike underneath where you pedal
• A photo of you with your bike, and if possible the original sales receipt
• An account with a registration service such as Project 529 or the Bike Index
• A tamper-resistant registration decal, such as a 529 Shield, if you want one
• Specialist cycle insurance, if your bike is valuable

1. Buy a decent lock, preferably two. A heavy-duty lock makes a thief's job harder, so they abandon the attempt or move to a bike with a less secure lock. Look for a certified Sold Secure lock.
2. Choose your locking method. If you have two locks, use a small U-lock plus a square-link chain: chain the front wheel and frame together, pass the chain through the bike rack, and leave as little room as possible inside the chain by securing the U-lock to a front wheel, frame or pedal. This is one of the better deterrents, though it does not secure the rear wheel.
3. Or use a U-lock plus a cable. Use a cable just long enough to reach through the rear wheel, with a loop at each end, and a high-quality U-lock. Pass the cable through the frame and rear wheel, pass the U-lock through the cable loops, and use the U-lock to secure the frame and front wheel to the bike rack. This is moderately secure and does cover the rear wheel.
4. If you only have one lock, use it properly. With a high-quality U-lock, pass it through the bike rack and front wheel and lock the front wheel to the frame. With a cable only, lock the frame and front wheel to the rack, and if the cable is long enough lock the frame, front wheel and rear wheel together. Keep the cable taut so it does not drag on the ground.
5. Avoid the weak methods. Do not lock only the front wheel to the rack and leave the frame unsecured, and do not prop the bike on the rack with the wheel locked to the frame but nothing locked to the rack. If the bikes around yours are locked better, yours becomes one of the easiest to steal.
6. Lock up in a highly visible, well-lit location, and use a bike rack rather than a sign pole. Avoid parking outside overnight on campus or downtown when you can.
7. Take removable items with you: bags, lights, baskets and saddle. If you have a quick-release seat, secure it with a cable or replace the quick-release mechanism with a bolt.
8. Make the bike less attractive. Decorate it with stickers or decals, or just make it ugly. Personal touches also make it easier to recognise if it goes missing.
9. Know your bike. Write down the brand, model, colour and serial number, and keep a photo of you with the bike and the original sales receipt.
10. Register your bike with a national registration database such as Project 529 or the Bike Index. Registered bikes have a greater chance of being recovered, because the serial number can be cross-referenced with your name and acts as independent proof of ownership.
11. Add a tamper-resistant decal such as a 529 Shield. It warns thieves off before they touch the bike and makes it identifiable at a glance.
12. Consider insurance. Specialist cycle insurance is worth considering if your bike is valuable, because some home insurance providers have a value limit on your bike and may not cover theft away from home.

• There is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent bike theft. The goal is to make your bike harder to steal compared to other bikes.
• Lock quality matters more than lock type alone. Thick, heavy-duty chains, particularly square-link chains, are the most difficult to cut through, while most cables are relatively easy to cut through. U-locks can be cut or pried open depending on quality.
• Expect to pay at least around £40 for a lock, and buy a certified Sold Secure lock. That price is a UK example and may differ where you are.
• More than half of bikes are stolen from home. Store yours in a locked shed or garage, keep it out of view, and secure it to an immovable object.
• Do not park in the same place every day. Thieves stealing to order are more likely to target you if they know where you will be.
• Make sure the lock does not touch the ground, or it is easy for a thief to sledgehammer it off. Also check that the post you lock to cannot be cut through and that the bike cannot be lifted over the top of it.
• If your bike is stolen, report it to the police and file a stolen bike report, giving the serial number and a photo. Nearly half of all stolen bikes are recovered by law enforcement.
• Search for the bike yourself on sites such as Craigslist and eBay, and check BikePortland.org Stolen Bike Listings. Thieves sometimes steal a bike in one city and advertise it in another, with a vague description.
• Make the rounds of pawn shops, second-hand stores and bike shops with a photo. If a shop has already bought the bike, your documentation and stolen bike report are proof it is yours, and you are not required to pay a pawn shop for its return. Check the police impound yard and your local transit agency's impound yard from time to time.
• If you find the bike, notify law enforcement for help recovering it. You will need your stolen bike report and proof of ownership before it is released to you.
• If you suspect your bike is being sold, do not arrange to meet the seller. Contact the police and quote your crime reference number.
• When buying second-hand, make sure the seller owns the bike. When buying new, buy from a recognised dealer.

Is there any lock that makes my bike impossible to steal? No. There is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent bike theft, but good locks used properly reduce the chances and help with recovery.

Should I use a cable lock on its own? It is better than nothing, but a cable alone is less secure than a U-lock or a chain. Most cables are relatively easy to cut through, so use a U-lock as your main lock where you can.

What should I write down about my bike? The brand, model, colour and serial number, plus a photo of you with the bike and, if possible, the original sales receipt. The serial number is usually on the bottom of the bike underneath where you pedal.

Does registering my bike actually help? Yes. Registered bikes have a greater chance of being recovered, because the serial number can be cross-referenced with the owner's name and acts as independent proof of ownership. A registration sticker may also make thieves less likely to take the bike.

What do I do first if my bike is stolen? File a stolen bike report with law enforcement, giving the serial number and a photo, then search online listings and check pawn shops, second-hand stores, bike shops and impound yards.