How to protect your bike from being stolen: 9 Simple Tips

1. Choose the right parking space

Perfect option - keep bike in the hallway, on the balcony or near the workplace. Only in these cases, you can not worry about its safety. If for any reason you need to leave the bike in other places, their choice should be approached with great care.

Here is a list of places where it is not necessary to park:

• crowded sidewalks in the city center;
• lively quays;
• area near the metro stations;
• deserted courtyards;
• deserted alleys.

Most often it is stolen bikes in public places, but leave personal transportation on a deserted street, too risky. Here it is necessary to observe the golden mean: Park your bike there, where ever there are people, but there are not very many.

Leaving the bike at a special parking lot of a shopping center, movie theater, restaurant or other public place, look at how often it is used the other cyclists. It is not uncommon theft is a bicycle parking.

2. Never leave your bike nepristognutym

This seemingly simple condition happy to use the bike perform a few.

Agree owner car leaves open cars in the parking lot, even if he had to move away for a few minutes. And the owner of the bicycle must follow the rule: if you want to leave the two-wheeled friend in the street, it must be fastened. Exceptions can not be here.

3. Use a reliable bike lock

Today there are many types of bicycle locksBut not all of them are equally reliable. Most velolyubiteley use inexpensive and fairly thin ropes with a key or combination lock, but this cable is easy to eat - this castle does not provide the proper level of security. Cable should be used as an additional protection, but not as a main.

A more suitable option - a chain lock. And although the chain weighs more than the cable (the average chain length of 1 m weighs more than 1 kg), to saw or cut it, without attracting attention, is quite difficult.

What to buy

• A combination lock and a textile cover from ABUS Web, 1 199 rubles →
• A combination lock on a 5 digits with AliExpress, 779 rubles →
• Bluetooth-locking with an alarm system with AliExpress, 2108 rubles →

Alternative chain - U-shaped lock. It is not very convenient to carry with you, but you can always find a way out of the situation. For example, there are folding locks, which consist of steel plates and expanded state have the same dimensions as the U-shaped lock. These plates are easy to fold, and this lock does not take up much space.

What to buy

• U-lock stainless steel with AliExpress, 1524 ruble →
• U-lock with three keys with AliExpress, 1400 rubles →
• Folding lock of stainless steel with AliExpress, 2255 rubles →

Another kind of reliable bike lock - stops on the wheel and the seat. They are best to choose a non-standard nuts and bolts that can be unscrewed with a special key. The probability that a thief would be just such a key is small.

What to buy

• Stopper on the wheel in stainless steel with AliExpress, 213 rubles →
• Chromed wheel with a stopper on AliExpress, 358 rubles →
• Ultra-light stop on the wheel with AliExpress, 648 rubles →

Finally, using several locks at the same time - this will reduce the likelihood of theft.

4. Tacked bicycle two parts

Buying a reliable locks - it is half the battle. It is important to properly tacked bike, leaving him in the parking lot. Thus, the chain can be attached to the frame, and the rope lock - wheel. Steal a bike that cleverly fastened, difficult, and not all the thieves want to bother with it.

5. Install velosignalizatsiyu

Audible alarm with remote control operates on the principle of the automobile: the sensor reacts to vibrations or touch triggers a beep, and you can prevent identity theft.

A more advanced version - velosignalizatsiya feedback. Alert comes to your smartphone, which is especially convenient.

What to buy

• Alarm in the form of the rear light with AliExpress, 1130 rubles →
• Alarm with remote control with AliExpress, 495 rubles →
• Alarm with waterproof remote control with AliExpress, from 759 rubles →

6. Set the lowest transmission

This method is not the major, but suitable as a supplementary. Even if the thief hijacking your bike quickly escape from the scene he did not succeed: the move sort out gear selection is not so simple. If you are nearby, you will have time to catch up with the attacker.

7. Decorate your bike

"The noticeable bike, the easier it is to find it, it is better not to communicate" - so says about someone who trades in bicycle theft. So do not be lazy to make your beloved vehicle's personality. You can paint the frame, attach the wheels to the LEDs or decorate the steering wheel. The main thing that the bike was different from all the others and attracted attention.

What to buy

• LED caps for wheels with AliExpress, 42 rubles →
• Lights for the wheels of 16 LEDs with AliExpress, 325 rubles →
• Reflective color adhesive tape with AliExpress, 88 rubles →

8. Do not let strangers bike

We have been taught as a child not to talk to strangers and not to give them any personal belongings. A similar rule applies in adult life. It happens that the stranger approaches and begins to crack up the bike, and then asks a little ride. The owner, after hearing good reviews, there is a meet - and becomes a victim. So, keep your eyes open when a stranger starts talking to you about the bike, and do not give in to provocations.

9. Remove the chain, leaving the bike for a long time

This method is useful if you need to leave the bike in the parking lot for a long time without a chain on it just do not get to go. In order to remove the chain, it is necessary to have on hand the necessary tools and possess a certain skill.

Check list

So, you still want to read and take real action to protect the bike from theft? Fine. Well, you do not forget anything, we offer the most important thing from a short list above.

1. Leave the bike where constantly there are people, but there are not very many.
2. Take the time to fasten your bike, even if you need to move only half a minute.
3. Use a reliable bike lock, and preferably two or more.
4. Remember: the unusual bike, the harder it is to sell. Therefore, you can paint the frame, wheels adorn, decorate the steering wheel and other details.
5. Remove the chain, leaving the bike parked for a long time.
6. Do not let strangers bike: thieves often insinuate themselves into the confidence trick zapoluchayut bike and go on it.

If you know of alternative ways to protect your bike against theft, share them in the comments.

see also

• 8 useful applications for cyclists →
• How to ride a bike, not to harm health →
• 5 common mistakes cyclists →
• 8 exercises for those who want to ride a bike faster →