Top tips how to keep your bike(s) safe from theft at your home

 

Following a recent increase in bikes being stolen in the Macclesfield and surrounding areas, we have collaborated with our Local Policing Unit in order to provide tips in order for you to keep your bike(s) safe from theft at your home

  1. The first line of defence should always be to make sure that people do not know that you have a bike in your home.

    Refrain from posting pictures of your bike on social media or excessively advertising the routes taken. If using strava, privacy zones can be set up around your home to prevent the identification of your address.

  2. Note down serial numbers (usually under the bottom bracket) and take good quality pictures of bikes and equipment so they can be easily identified in the future.

  3. Internal and external lighting: Making sure that you have good lighting surrounding your property/shed/garage. If you are going to be out, try and put internal lights on a timer at differing times so that it appears that the property is occupied and external lights to deter thieves.  

  4. Locks: Ensure that fences/gates/outbuildings are secured with a robust lock as well as bikes being stored within your property with durable locks/chains. If possible, aim to buy a “gold” standard locks and install a ground anchor to secure the bike to.

  5. CCTV: Invest in CCTV if possible which covers where the bikes are stored/entrances/exits to your property. Security doorbells are also popular as they record and deter criminals as it appears that someone is home if anyone knocks on your front door as you can easily answer.

  6. Shed alarms: Either battery powered or linked to house alarms.

  7. Trackers: You can add a bike tracking GPS device, this is managed via an app and alerts you if the bike is tampered with or moved.

    https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/find-your-stolen-bike-with-a-gps-tracker-165579

  8. Ensure that your bike is marked and registered to the bike register. (If you live in Macclesfield, Macclesfield Police are hoping to carry out a bike marking event. (When Covid restrictions permit this to happen.)

    https://www.bikeregister.com/

The most important part of keeping your bike safe is to deter any criminal from coming onto your property in the first place.

Thanks to Macclesfield Local Policing unit for their help in putting these tips together.

Stay safe everyone. 

 
AnnouncementOliver Smyth