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Pedal power has become increasingly popular over the last few years, but unfortunately the number of bike thefts has also risen. To make sure your bike doesn’t get taken for a ride, you need to be extra careful about bicycle security. Getting your bike insured by Direct Line ensures you won’t be without your wheels if the worst should happen…
The past five years have seen something of a two-wheeled revolution. There are now more than five million bikes on the roads in the UK, with a 50% rise in bike use in the capital alone. While that’s great news for the environment and the nation’s health, the appearance of more bikes on the streets has also provided richer pickings for thieves.
Government figures show that more than 150,000 bicycles are stolen every year in the UK, and only 15% are ever recovered. Sadly, leaving a bike alone and unsecured in these modern times is simply asking for someone to take it for a spin. So what can you do to improve security?
Lock it or lose it
Always lock up your bike, even when you leave it for a short time. The lock you use needs to be strong enough and flexible enough for your needs. So while a D-shaped shackle lock can be the most secure, an armoured cable lock may be more appropriate if the fixture you are locking your bike to requires more flexibility with length. Plus, remember that you will also need to transport your lock, so while security is uppermost, you should also consider its bulk and weight. You can visit www.whycycle.co.uk/safety-locks.htm for more help with choosing a lock.
You should also pay attention to wheels and seats, which can still go walking even if the rest of your bicycle is secure (sometimes more frustrating than losing the whole bike). It is wise to invest in a second lock, or chain, that can be fed through wheels. Also, if you don’t want them stolen, items that can’t be secured, such as lights, should be taken with you.
Make sure you lock your bike to something secure, solid and if possible, in a public place where there is less opportunity for a thief to work unnoticed – if you can park it near a security camera, even better. Raising your bike slightly from the ground can also make it harder for thieves to get a firm grip when attempting to cut through a lock.
ID your vehicle
Bikes can be expensive, but their value can also be sentimental. By registering your bike, you stand more chance of getting it back if it’s stolen. You can get it post-coded by police or register your bike on www.immobilise.com. This is a free register of possession ownership and directly links up to the Police National Stolen Equipment Database.
It’s also wise to make a record of your bike with photographs and keep them in a safe place in case you need to ID it. If you buy your bike new, the shop should be able to advise you about security marking and registration. Some new bikes also come complete with microchips that can be tracked. You can get more details on all aspects of bike security from the National Cycling Forum at www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk.
Get insured
Despite the increasing number of bike thefts, most bicycle owners are uninsured against such an event so if the bike does go missing, it’s usually gone for good. Direct Line Home Insurance customers are automatically insured for bicycles. However, this is only for bikes that are inside your property or secured in inclusive outbuildings. Reports show that more than half of bikes are taken from the home, so this does offer some peace of mind.
For the other 50% of thefts – bikes that are stolen from outside the home – bike owners should seriously consider investing in Direct Line Pedal Cycles Cover. This can be taken out as an additional extra on Home Insurance and means your bike is covered when you are out and about too. The amount you pay is relative to the value of your bike and covers all bikes up to the value of £1,000. As long as you are a Home Insurance customer you can take Direct Line Pedal Cycles Cover out at any time. When a schedule is drawn up, your monthly Home Insurance payments will simply be adjusted accordingly. This cover is included as standard with a Direct Line Home Insurance Plus Contents policy.
To make sure your bicycle gets the cover it deserves and needs, get a quote for Home Insurance and Pedal Cycles Cover today.
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