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Top Tips to Protect Your BikeWith the popularity of cycling increasing and the summer months coming up, more and more people will be visiting York city centre and leaving their bike unattended whilst they visit. Please consider the below points when leaving your bike in York city centre to help protect your bike from theft?
1. Get a decent lock Bike thieves need to operate quickly to reduce the chance of being caught, so a decent bike lock is literally worth its weight in gold. A heavy-duty bike lock can make a thief’s job more difficult, with the result that they abandon attempts to steal your bike or move onto a bike with a less secure lock. Buy a decent lock - preferably two, ideally of different types, one of which should be a D-lock. Expect to pay at least £40 for a lock Make sure you buy a certified Sold Secure lock.
2. Make your mark Marking your bike with a unique code ensures that Police will be able to trace your bike back to you if it is stolen and recovered. North Yorkshire Police mark bikes at special events which are advertised in advance. You can also contact your local Neighbourhood Police Team to find out when their next marking event is taking place.
However, if you are marking your bike yourself: ensure the security mark is clearly visible. This in itself will act as a deterrent to bike thieves. apply a tamper-proof sticker to the frame, warning that the bike has been marked. Make sure you register the bike online.
3. Insure it You may have invested a significant amount of money into your bike, so be sure you're covered for theft. It's worth considering specialist cycle insurance, especially if your bike is valuable, as some home insurance providers often have a value limit on your bike. Other considerations with your home insurance is to check that it covers you for theft away from your home.
4. Out and about Bike thefts can occur at any time - day or night. A growing trend is that thieves are stealing certain makes and models to order.
Park your bike in a well-lit area, where it can be easily seen by passers-by. Lock both wheels and the frame of your bike to a cycle stand or other immoveable object. Use designated parking areas where possible. Make sure the locks go through the bike frame as well as both wheels and the post you are securing it to. Otherwise, a thief may steal the bike and leave the wheels behind. Also, make sure it isn’t possible to cut through the post, or for the bike to be lifted up over the top of it. Ensure your lock doesn’t touch the ground, otherwise it is easier for a thief to remove using force. Take any removable items with you such as wheels, lights, baskets and saddle. Don’t park in the same place every day. If bike thieves are stealing to order, they are more likely to target you if they know where you will be.
5. At home More than half of bikes are stolen from home. Reduce the chances of this happening by: storing your bike in a locked shed or garage keeping it out of view securing it to an immovable object.
6. Act fastIf your bike has been stolen, contact us as soon as possible by calling 101 or reporting online. Give us your make, model, colour, frame number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on the cycle database where you registered it. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on. | ||||
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