The question of how to lock a bike may seem obvious, but there are a number of pitfalls that, even if you’ve used the best bike locks available, may mean that your bike is still vulnerable to theft.
Each year in the UK there are over 100,000 bikes stolen, while in the US and Canada, the number is estimated at over 2,000,000. Those are absolutely massive numbers and the percentage of returned bikes is minuscule in comparison.
Knowing how to use a bike lock properly will help ensure that you don’t become part of those statistics. Using more than one bike lock will make it more difficult for a thief, so rather than one lock, it might be worth investing in a couple of quality locks to secure the different parts of your bike, as we explain below.
Consider where you lock your bike too. There’s safety in numbers and if your bike is the best secured in a location where multiple bikes are locked up, it’s unlikely that a thief will target yours over more easily stolen bikes.
A special word if you ride an electric bike. Ebikes are high value items, so it’s worth investing a little more in one of the best ebike locks to keep your electric bike safe.
How to choose the right bike lock
Start by considering what level of security you need. A bike left outside overnight needs a different level of security to a bike locked for 15 minutes in a busy area during the day. When considering your needs, remember that it doesn’t hurt anyone to overdo it.
It’s an obvious statement to say the best bike locks are going to be the most secure but that’s only true if they’re going to get used. A higher security lock will be bulkier and heavier and if it gets left at home as a result, it won’t do much good.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is a minimum level of advisable security. Cable locks are available for sale but should only be a secondary security measure. Cutting a cable lock is so easy and quick that it’s possible in broad daylight with people nearby. Don’t trust your bike to a cable lock alone in any situation.
Look out for security ratings for bike locks. In the UK, most bike locks are Sold Secure rated. Sold Secure is an independent lock testing organisation which tests…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…