How to Keep Your Bike from Being Stolen

I love my bike, I ride it when I can. We only have a car because nobody else in the family has the same passion for bicycle riding. One of the problems with a bicycle, is that there are other people who have the same passion for bicycles. They will covet your bike and steal it if they given the opportunity. There is a resale market for stolen bikes, while not as lucrative as for cars, it exists none the less. I have had several bikes stolen over the years, and this is procedure I use to safeguard them.

I have lived in small towns and large cities. There is usually a distinct difference in preventing your bicycle from being stolen in both. When I lived in a large city, I had two bikes - a cheap second hand racing bike for riding in the city, and a more expensive mountain bike that I would ride on weekends or on days off. Even when I have chained my cheap racing bike, they would still go missing. In the small towns, I usually had one expensive bike that I rode all of the time. I will take the same precautions to keep the bike from going missing, but I have found that the thieves are not as determined to steal the bike as they are in large metropolitan areas.

Thieves will take anything they can get their hands on - lights, speedometers, wheels, seats, etc. Do not use cables to secure your bike. These are easy to cut with a good set of cable cutters. Thieves alwasy seem to have the top of the line cable cutters, and your bike will be stolen in seconds. Use a good heavy-duty U-locks, heavy-gauge chains, or even good handcuff-style locks. You will have to spend a little money for these heavy duty locks and chains, but it is well worth it. You will also want the heavy-gauge chain to go through every part of the bike possible, the frame, the rear wheels, the front wheels, even the seat, etc. Replace existing quick-releases with bolts or locking skewers, if you do not, your front wheel will be stolen.

Make sure that your bike is locked in a well traveled area. Thieves are generally cowards, and will think twice about stealing a bike secured in the front of busy building or store. If you find yourself having to secure your bike after dark, make sure that it is in a well lit area. If you can take your bike indoors, by all means take it in the building. Always lock your bike to a very secure post or structure. Thieves have been know to remove the sign at the top of a pole and slide your chain and bike off the pole. You should also write down the bike's serial number and a detailed discription of your bike. List the bike on your household insurance. You should also register your bike with the National Bike Registry. The Police will not release the bike unless you have proof that the bike is indeed yours.