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Prevent Bicycle Theft: Residential Security Systems, Registration, Quality Locks, and More! by Karen Johnson
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Prevent Bicycle Theft: Residential Security Systems, Registration, Quality Locks, and More! by KAREN JOHNSON
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| Article Posted: 10/09/2013 |
| Article Views: 377 |
| Articles Written: 10 - MORE ARTICLES FROM THIS AUTHOR |
| Word Count: 639 |
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Prevent Bicycle Theft: Residential Security Systems, Registration, Quality Locks, and More! |
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Home Improvement,Business,Science & Technology
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Bicycle theft is a rampant problem, which has become increasingly evident as more Americans opt for this health- and environment-friendly mode of transportation. According to federal statistics, $350 million in bicycle theft occurs every year and the average bike owner will lose at least one bicycle to theft over the course of his or her life. With that in mind, let’s consider the various ways you can protect your property.
Store Bicycles in a Secure Garage
A significant portion of all bicycle thefts occur at home and because the bike owner didn’t secure the vehicle. Ideally, you should store bicycles in a garage, shed or similar enclosure. It’s also important that the enclosure is locked and integrated into a monitored home security alarm system. Today, many residential security systems are wireless, which makes it simple and inexpensive to integrate a garage or external storage building.
Secure Bicycles Mounted to a Vehicle
Ideally, you should not leave bicycles mounted to a vehicle overnight, whether the vehicle is in your driveway, at a campsite or in a hotel parking lot. If you have no other option, be sure to use a high-strength locking mechanism. No lock is impenetrable, however, so you may want to integrate it into the vehicle’s alarm system. For robust protection, it’s also possible to link vehicle security into your home security alarm system. Most modern residential security systems provide remote access, which means that you can monitor your bikes from your PC, smartphone or similar device.
Secure Bicycles When Not in Use
The vast majority of bicycle thefts occur because the bike owner leaves the bike unattended and unsecured momentarily to enter a store or other establishment. Keep in mind that most thefts of this nature are impulsive decisions; although a brief moment may not seem like much, it’s actually the precise time when a bicycle is likely to be stolen.
Make Your Bicycle Hard to Steal
Basic bicycle cables are not very strong protection, and all bicycle owners should opt for a U-shaped locked at the very least. If it’s a valuable bike, consider using two or more such locks. If your bike has quick-release wheels, then take advantage of those. Release both wheels; lock one up independently of the bike and take the other wheel with you into the store.
Mind the Accessories
Thieves commonly target bicycle accessories, such as lights, bells, racks, baskets and so forth. Have a knapsack with you. When you park the bike, remove all small, easily stolen accessories and carry them with you. For racks and baskets, use high-security mounting systems or even zip ties. Zip ties aren’t very sophisticated, but they can be an inexpensive, effective alternative, making a basket difficult to steal and deterring thieves.
Report Bicycle Theft
Police recover nearly 50 percent of all bicycles that are stolen each year, which is an impressive number. While you may not always be able to prevent it from happening, don’t discard the importance of reporting the crime to the police immediately. If you don’t, you’re greatly reducing your chance of having your property returned at all. In addition, the report can help police better understand area statistics and distribute their resources accordingly.
Register the Bicycle
Only five percent of all recovered stolen bicycles are returned to their owners because police have no way to identify the owner. Wherever possible, register your bicycle serial codes. Many police departments have such a system in place; universities and colleges do as well, and most state and national parks have a bike station that allows for registration. You can also check with your bike’s manufacturer for a registry system. At the very least, register your bike with the National Bike Registry. Taking a couple minutes to do this can help authorities return your bike if it’s ever stolen, and the more places it’s registered, the higher the chance of having your property recovered.
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