Where To Lock Your Bike

If you can store your bike inside your home overnight, this is likely to be the safest option. Many insurance companies will only cover you if you store your bike indoors overnight. If you have limited space, ask your local bike retailer about in-door space-saving storage solutions.

Parking your bike in a shed or garage can be risky, but you can take measures to improve their security: several companies sell tough anchors which either bolt directly to the floor or wall or can be installed into concrete. They come complete with the tools you need to install them.

Never leave your bike outside in rear yard, unless you have a cycle anchor or another secure object to secure it to. Ensure that the yard gate is locked each evening. Many cycle thefts across York occur from bikes left in the rear yards of terraced properties.

Invest in a shed or garage alarms, available from DIY Retailers and York Community Watch.

Remember to consider bike security if you are transporting your bike(s) on a bike carrier on your car on holiday or for recreational activities. Bike thefts have occurred at places like Dalby Forest where visitors have left bikes insecure on bike carriers and cycle thefts occur across the country at camp-sites/holiday homes in the same way.

STREET PARKING
What to look for when choosing somewhere to park your bicycle on the street

WHERE NOT TO LOCK YOUR BIKE
A few tips on what to avoid using as cycle parking to keep your bike safe

Street Parking

On the street, it’s generally best to use cycle parking stands if these are available. Look for secure, immovable cycle parking. Make sure the parking is bolted securely or embedded into the ground. It should ideally be possible for you to lock both your frame and your wheels to the stand – parking that only allows your front wheel to be locked should be avoided as thieves can remove your front wheel and make off with the rest of your bike.

‘D’ or ‘U’ shaped Sheffied stands will usually allow you to do this, but beware of the temptation to only lock your bike through the frame as wheels can be easily removed and stolen. Some new designs encourage double-locking.

If there are no suitable parking stands available, then you can use secure, immovable street furniture. Railings, lamp-posts etc. will usually allow you to lock your bike through the frame and one wheel. When choosing such a spot, try to make sure that there is plenty of ‘natural surveillance’ of the site – passing pedestrians, overlooking shops or houses and good street lighting.

Do make sure that your bike isn’t causing an obstruction to passers by as it may be removed.

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Where Not To Lock Your Bike

It’s never a good idea to settle for inadequate parking, even for the shortest time.

Think about bike security

Things to avoid include:

Dark Alleys
Even if your bike is locked, a thief will have an ideal opportunity to break through your lock.

Butterfly racks
Avoid parking which only allows you to secure your front wheel to the stand. Even if you don’t have quick release wheels, it’s very easy for a thief to detach your wheel and make off with the rest of your bike.

Short posts, or even tall posts that a lock can fit over the top of
Your bike will be lifted over the top. Even if there is a sign at the top that your lock can’t fit around, bear in mind that a very determined thief could unscrew the sign and lift your bike over, so it’s not a good idea to leave your bike locked to sign post overnight.

Drainpipes
Easily shattered.

Overnight Parking
Try to avoid leaving your bike anywhere in the city centre overnight, even if there is CCTV or adequate lighting. Determined thieves and not always deterred by such measures.

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