8 Tips to Prevent Your Bike from Getting Stolen

Whether your bike is a recreational vehicle for you or your primary mode of transportation, it is an investment you’ve made in your health and your ability to get from point A to point B. Preventing the theft of your bike can save you precious time and money while protecting the investment you’ve made in your bike. These are things you can do to make your bike a less likely target for thieves.

1. Cover your bike with identifying markers. From unique graphics and bright colors, to etchings in the bike that indicate you as the owners, there are a variety of things you can do that will make it easy for you to identify your bike. That means it can be traced and makes it a less attractive target for thieves. The bolder and more obvious the markings, the less attractive the bike becomes.
2. Use quality locks to secure your bike. Far too often people will invest in top quality chains while using an inexpensive lock to secure the bike. The chain is only as good as the lock. If thieves can break the lock in a matter of seconds, they’ve just netted a great bike AND an excellent chain in the bargain. Armored locks work well in this situation as they are heavier than most cable locks and even more difficult to cut through than chain locks, making them completely unattractive to the average thief.

1. Park in well lit areas. Thieves do not like to work in the light. Make sure you park and secure your bike in areas that are well-lit. Especially if you anticipate having your bike parked there at night.
2. Store your bike indoors when possible. When at home, consider storing your bike inside your garage or a locked shed. Out of sight is out of mind and if thieves don’t see your bike, they are less likely to target it.
3. Secure your bike to something solid and immovable. Trees and designated bike racks that are cemented into the ground are excellent choices. Other options may include light poles (depending on city ordinances). The key is to anchor it to something that provides the safety you expect.
4. Invest in GPS tracking. GPS tracking may not prevent bike theft all together, but it can aid in the swift recovery of a stolen bike. Not only does it provide confirmation of ownership, but it also provides real-time location information about your bike.
5. Consider a multi-lock system. It will take more time for you to secure your bike, but also require a greater investment of time from thieves looking to steal your bike. It is often enough to grant your bike a pass.
6. Protect bike parts, too. It’s not just the bike itself that is a tempting target for thieves. High end seats, tires, and more are attractive targets and easy to take if not properly secured.

In 2014, there were 210,905 cases of stolen bikes reported in the United States. That doesn’t include the many cases each year that go unreported. Use the tips above so your bike doesn’t become on these statistics.

LiveViewGPS provides GPS tracking solutions, including GPS asset tracking, GPS personal tracking, GPS vehicle tracking and GPS fleet tracking. Give us a call at 1-888-544-0494 to learn more.

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