A View from the Handlebars: Safe and secure

Cycle security around Hull has very much been in the news recently with complaints on Twitter and Radio Humberside’s David Burns talking to our very own Andrew Gibson on the issue. CycHull City member Alan Gribben explores the problem and what we can do to protect our bikes.

In our recent member survey and Twitter poll, the lack of secure cycle parking was a recurring theme. These concerns are not unfounded. In 2021 there were 687 reported cycle thefts in Hull, with a further 905 across the East Riding of Yorkshire[1]. The actual rate is likely to be much higher due to under-reporting. Railways stations and hospitals can be particularly problematic as thieves know people are likely to be leaving their cycle parked for some time. In the 12 months to January 2022, 30 bikes were reported stolen at Hull’s Paragon Interchange[2]. This is despite reduced passenger numbers due to Covid.

Cycle theft is more than just the financial cost. For many of us a cycle is our freedom. It’s access to work and education or how we visit friends and family. We often have an emotional attachment to our cycles. Perhaps it was a gift from a loved one or a prized possession we saved hard to buy? Maybe it has happy memories of past trips? I remember, aged 14, the devastation when my first ever new bike, a Falcon Pathfinder, was taken from our garage just off Endike Lane. I’d loved and cherished that bike so much, cleaning and polishing it after every trip.

Here at CycHull City we’re campaigning hard for secure cycle storage – whether that’s more Sheffield bike stands for short-term parking outside shops or monitored and controlled secure hubs where cycles can be left for longer. But what can we do as individuals to protect our bikes?

Here are my tips:

1. Always lock it. Even if you’re just leaving it for a few seconds. If someone grabbed your bike and rode off would you realistically be able to catch them on foot? 15% of cycles stolen in Hull were not locked up.[3] Whether it’s popping in the shop, visiting a friend’s house or even leaving it in the train vestibule, always lock it!

2. Find a suitable place. Sadly, for many organisations, cycle parking is an afterthought – often tucked out of the way or with poorly designed racks. Choose somewhere that is busy, well-lit and with CCTV coverage. If you’re leaving the bike for a long time consider if the area will still be busy later at night. Ideally don’t use the same place every time. Using Sheffield bike stands to secure your bike is best as they enable you to lock your bike in multiple places, but check them to ensure they’re properly bolted down and haven’t been damaged. Thieves sometimes pre-cut them and then cover the cut with tape. Have a look around. Skeleton bikes stripped for parts and discarded broken locks are a sure sign of a theft hotspot.

Ideally place your bike in a secure storage area – i.e. somewhere that is supervised or has controlled access. Hull has a cycle hub in Trinity Market, but it’s not open evenings and Sundays. I don’t advise using the cycle hub in Paragon Interchange as it’s tucked away and not secure. Hull City Council are planning to open further hubs in the city. If you don’t have somewhere secure at work, ask your employer to provide it – perhaps via your trade union if you have one. We’re happy to offer advice to local employers on how they can provide safe storage.

3. Choose at least one good quality lock. Ensure it’s independently endorsed by http://www.soldsecure.com/search-by-approval-category/ Put the lock around a solid part of the frame. I often see locks just through the wheel – pointless! With a D-lock try to fill as much of the lock as you can to prevent it being prized open with a jack. I prefer to run the lock through the lower seat stays as this fills the lock and also stops the rear wheel being stolen. Use a second lock of a different type on the front wheel. This will delay a thief, stops the front wheel being taken and potentially means they have to carry two different tools. Think about securing the saddle too. However, remember that even good quality locks can be cut quickly with the right tools. A few months ago my Sold Secure Gold D-Lock seized. Fortunately, I was at home and cut through it in 10 seconds using a battery powered angle grinder.

4. Secure your cycle at home. Locking your bike in a garage or shed is a must as they’re a soft target. Use a ground anchor or fasten it to a solid wall using bolts. Use a good quality door lock and make sure padlock hasp and staples are bolted through the frame of the building – screws are easily prized out. Cover windows. Install an alarm. Small shed alarms are available from most hardware and DIY stores. They’re sometimes handed out free as part of local crime reduction initiatives. Ideally connect your garage or shed to the house alarm as it’s more likely to be heard and harder to tamper with. Be careful when using fitness apps like Strava as people’s cycles have been traced to their home address.

5. Mark and register your bike so it can be identified and returned if found. The first thing I do with a new bike is take lots of photos and register it with immobilise.com. I buy RFID tags which I glue onto the frame. The tag contains a unique number which shows up when the bike is scanned by police. I prefer this to physically marking the frame which may damage it and could be rubbed off. I also use Smartwater on the components. Another alternative is bikeregister.com. Humberside Police and British Transport Police run bike marking events so check out their webpages and follow them on social media for locations and dates.

6. Consider insuring your bike. If you already have a household contents policy this is usually cheapest but make sure it gives you the cover you need. If it’s a more specialised or expensive model then go with a dedicated cycle policy.

If the worst happens and your bike is stolen?

1. Report it to the police. If it’s not reported, the police will tell you it didn’t happen! You may just get a crime number but it’s only by reporting it that they will know the extent of the problem and be able to prioritise resources. And you’ll need this information to make an insurance claim.

2. Put a note out on your local Facebook groups. I’ve found people in the groups are very helpful at sharing and getting in touch if they’ve seen anything.

3. Check online local “for sale” pages and second-hand shops but be careful about approaching anyone offering your cycle for sale.

Remember to remain vigilant. If you see someone acting suspiciously around a cycle call Humberside Police on 101 (or 999 if a crime is in progress). At a railway station call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.

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