Guide | Tips & Tricks: It usually happens quickly and unnoticed - the anger afterwards is great: the bike is stolen. With this guide, Velomotion shows many tips and tricks on the subject of bike locks and security: How can I lock my bike securely?
Bicycle theft: motives & approaches
Only around 10% of all bicycle thefts are solved - many stolen bicycles and e-bikes are not even reported to the police because, for example, the value of the bicycle is considered too low. Or a successful enlightenment is questioned anyway. The thieves have different motives and approaches, which can also be related to the victim's place of residence. One can distinguish between the following motives and approaches:
The opportunity
The casual thief seizes the opportunity, for example, when a bicycle is left unsecured in front of the supermarket because the owner simply forgot the lock at home or was too naive to use it. It is not uncommon for this thief to use the bike for himself. Otherwise, the bike is often sold on portals such as eBay classifieds. In this case you probably have the best chance of finding the bike again in the area or on the Internet.
The fast money
Then there's the thief who wants to get some money quickly: he doesn't care if the bike is worth €50 or €5.000. He is often in debt or short of cash. Accordingly, this type of thief wants to get rid of the stolen bike quickly. So there is a chance of finding it again in the extended neighborhood, for example, or on portals such as eBay classifieds. Bolt cutters are often used for thefts of this type, or the lock is opened with a battery flex. The victims here are mainly simple, cheaper bicycle locks that offer comparatively little resistance.
Big money, professional and prepared
More professional thieves often sell a stolen bike abroad - or they sell parts and components individually. A component exchange between stolen bikes is not unusual. The procedure can sometimes be very professional: There is one case in which the computer of a local bike shop was allegedly infiltrated. The thief or thieves could gain access to the customer database and knew exactly where to steal valuable bikes. For example, in the case of apartment blocks, they gain access to the house by pretending to be a postman at the door intercom. Once in the (bicycle) cellar, they can often work in peace and steal the object of desire.
Professional and fast, gang-like
Organized gangs are particularly active near the border, who like to drive up with a delivery van and steal all the bicycles they can get hold of in entire blocks of streets. The bikes are then sold abroad or even end up back in Germany at flea markets. For example, while there is a Europe-wide search system for cars, things are looking bad for bicycles: Once abroad, it is difficult to get the bike back - even if you should find it on the Internet.
Locking up the bike securely: tips on the subject of bike locks and security
Many thefts are easy to prevent. With a little care in daily handling of the bike, you can significantly increase security so that ideally there is no attempt at theft in the first place. Velomotion shows below what you can do:
1. Provisions for the worst-case scenario
Even before theft, there are ways to arm yourself: Very important - write down the frame number of the bike. You can find this under the bottom bracket on almost all bikes. In addition: Always save a couple of fairly recent photos of the bike. Should the good piece be stolen, the police have clues to search for it. You can also use it to create a wanted ad and post it in the neighborhood. Because, as mentioned above, the thief can definitely be found in the immediate vicinity.
2. Report theft
Even if it's "just" grandma's old bike, or a cheap bike from the flea market for €30: the police usually have little capacity to investigate a bicycle theft, and proceedings are often dropped. Every ad increases the pressure to do something more and maybe even increase staff. This can also lead to more vigilance on police patrols.
3. Create awareness, refrain from being careless, create security
My bike won't be stolen - that's a widespread thought that can be quickly disproved by statistics. It is not uncommon for bicycles costing several thousand euros to be parked in garages that are not locked either. But who would simply leave several thousand euros in cash in their garage? Opportunity creates thieves and they like to seize every opportunity. The same applies if, for example, you just want to quickly get the refreshing lemonade from the supermarket. Even if it's annoying: Always lock up your bike, even for the minute you're at the bakery.
4. Securely lock up the bike, not just lock it
You should always lock your bike to a fixed object. A bike that is not locked to an object can easily be carried away by a thief - for example, it can quickly disappear into a van and the thief has all the time in the world to remove the lock at home. If possible, you should always connect the front wheel or both wheels. A front wheel in particular can be removed in seconds and, depending on the bike, can be worth several hundred euros. The same applies here: Create awareness that the thief has an easy time if the bike is not locked anywhere. Ideally, you should attach the bicycle lock quite high up. Because with a lock near the ground, the thief can use the ground as a support for his bolt cutters and thus has an easier time.
5. Locking the bike to stable objects
Pay attention to the quality of the item you want to lock your bike to. A rotten wooden fence offers little resistance when a thief uses force. Even a loose bike rack, like some doctor's surgeries or shops have in front of the house, quickly disappeared in a delivery truck along with the bike. Lanterns or robust metal fences or railings, for example, are well suited. Fortunately, the public is becoming more and more aware of this: Many communities and shops now have firmly anchored bicycle racks with the option of easily locking up a bicycle with a bicycle lock.
6. Note the location for locking the bike
Thieves like to go unnoticed. If you want to leave your bike for longer, ideally choose a busy location. A well-lit location is ideal, especially at night, as the thief can expect to be spotted. In a dark side street, on the other hand, he has a good chance of remaining undiscovered for a long time.
7. The quality of a bike lock is crucial for security
A rule of thumb says: The bike lock should cost about 10% of the purchase price of the bike. It gets difficult at some point, but one thing is clear: almost every cable lock can be opened in seconds with a bolt cutter. Bicycle locks with number combinations also offer little resistance to thieves who specialize in them. The same applies to cheap locking mechanisms. The YouTube channel offers an interesting insight into this LockPickingLawyer: Here you can see how little security many locks offer. In general, it can be said that hardened U-locks, chain locks and folding locks are the better choice for a bicycle lock. Among the better lock cylinders are turntable locks (Disc Detainer), such as those Abus with their Plus and XPlus cylinders. Such cylinders offer a high level of protection against picking - only a few thieves should be able to crack them. And that takes time. In addition, high-quality locks also have a deterrent effect.
8. Use of two bicycle locks
Many thieves specialize in one or a few types of locks. The bolt cutter type, for example, fails on a padlock. And the combination lock type may fail because of a lock cylinder with a key. So if you have the opportunity to use two different types of bicycle locks, use them! This also has a deterrent effect, even if both locks are not of particularly high quality.
9. Digital security as a complement to the bike lock & secure connection
Various providers such as power sell digital trackers that can be used to locate a bike if it's stolen. Apple's AirTags are also suitable for this. But be careful: some providers charge for data transmission in an annual subscription, for example - this can get expensive in the long run. A good hiding place is also important, because if a thief finds the tracker right away, it is usually quickly removed. In any case, trackers should only be used as a supplement to a good bike lock. Because if the bike is transported abroad immediately after it has been stolen, it will be very difficult to get it back, despite the tracker.
10. Secure components and batteries
As already mentioned under point four, it makes sense to lock your bikes as well. Because a quick release in particular is opened quickly and the thief marches away with the wheel. This can happen quickly, even with an expensive saddle and seat post. This can be remedied by special quick-release systems that can only be opened with a special key. Very few thieves carry such keys with them. If possible, you can simply take the saddle with you. Even a modern, electronic circuit can be dismantled quickly and has a considerable value at the same time. The security options here are few - so if you already know before you buy the bike that it will often be outside, it is better to use cheaper equipment variants.
Especially with e-bikes, batteries and displays are often stolen. It can help to wrap the battery with the lock in such a way that removal is impossible. But that's not always possible - the only option is to remove the battery yourself and take it with you before someone else does. Some manufacturers have lockable batteries, but these locks are not always very secure. If the e-bike is parked for a longer period of time, it is better to take your battery with you. You can usually put the display in your pocket quickly and easily.
11. Minimize digital footprints
Digital apps for recording tours are becoming increasingly popular. But caution is advised here too: If you have an extensive tour portfolio online from your front door, you can quickly reveal the location of your bike or e-bike. As is the case with many apps, a user profile with relevant information and photos about the bike may be stored. A potential thief can easily find out the location of expensive bicycles here. For example, the app Strava locations of secret military bases made visible, because the soldiers made their rounds there. Therefore, the following also applies to this point: raise awareness and proceed with caution, undertake data protection yourself.
Safety for the bike: What the market offers
We have already presented various bicycle locks and systems at Velomotion: Overview. Here you will find individual tests, new products and much more.