Despite the fact that many types of theft have decreased in recent years, instances of bike theft are on the rise. This is bad news for environmentally conscious commuters and bicycling enthusiasts. While bicycle theft is a particular scourge on college campuses, in truth it can strike anywhere.
Recovery of stolen bicycles is also a fairly big problem. It’s estimated that only a fraction, maybe even less than five percent of stolen bikes are ever recovered. So, it’s obvious that the best way to protect yourself from bike theft is to protect your bike.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Bike:
1. Make It Look Less Enticing
There’s a good chance that you bought your bike for its aesthetics, at least partly. However, sleek design and bright colors also attract thieves. Consider spending some time making your bike look less attractive—in short, make it ugly. If the idea of doing permanent damage to your ride hurts your soul, try less permanent methods like duct tape. There are even online tutorials that demonstrate how to create a look of faux rust on your bike.
2. Use an Alarm
Similar to alarm systems for your home or car, you can get a portable alarm system for your bike. Most alarms come as part of a padlock that will admit a sound if someone tries to tamper with it. Often, the annoyance of an alarm and the attention it draws is enough to deter a thief. You can also try to fake thieves out by applying a decal to your bike or padlock that indicates you have an alarm.
3. Secure Your Bike Even at Home
Depending on where you live, your bike may not be very secure even when you’re at home. If you lock your bike in a shed or garage, make sure those locks are engaged every time you leave your bike behind. Consider installing security cameras (or fake ones, like these) that will allow you to capture the thief’s face if the worst happens.
4. Use High-Grade Locks and Chains
This might seem like a no-brainer, but don’t discount the efficacy of using high-quality padlocks and industrial strength chains. The more hoops a thief has to jump through, the more likely he or she is to give up.
5. Take Your Bike with You
According to a former bike thief, thieves might puncture a tire on a bike they’re looking to steal just so the owner will leave it behind, which will give the thieves more time to get to it. So, if you come out of work or class and see a puncture in your tire, don’t abandon your bike. Chances are, it won’t be there when you come back.
Bikes are relatively easy to steal: they’re light, fairly nondescript, and taking one typically only results in a misdemeanor. However, it is possible to protect your bike and keep your wheels with you where they belong. Check out the all the bike protection options the Home Security Store has for you.