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How to secure your bike

Posted on September 21, 2012 by tarahamilton

I swore I locked my bike before I left it. I did, didn’t I? Did I even leave it here? Am I lost? Where’s my bike? If these thoughts have ever run through your mind, you’ll know how quickly confusion turns to panic, when you realise that in fact you are in the right place, yes you did lock your bike but not well enough and now it has been stolen! That’s right, some light fingered thief has ridden away with your bike. To avoid this feeling, there are plenty of things that you can do to keep your bike secure while you are out and about. Bike security is no joke, it’s you against them, so make sure you win.

How to lock your bike properly

That’s right, how to lock your bike properly. You would be surprised at the amount of people who don’t lock their bike securely.

Here are a few good rules to follow:

Your bike should be more secure than the one next to it. Make your bike the least accessible, the thief will go for the easier target.

Never rely solely on a cable lock to secure your bike. They are far too easy to snip off.

In the case of u-locks, small is better. This is because they provide less room for a leverage based attack.

Use more than 1 locking mechanism. The more difficult you make it, the better.

Other forms of bike security

Give an alarmed bike lock a go. Take a look at the screamer bike lock available from Asgard. This is enough to scare any bike thief and provides extra bike security alongside existing bike locks.

Get some cycle insurance, if theft is a big problem in your area, this will come in handy.

Don’t leave your bike parked in the same place every day.

If possible, take any removable items with you.

Sources: TFL and Life Hacker

Filed under: bicycle alarm, bicycle cable lock, bicycle combination lock, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, Bike locks/security, cycling | Tagged: bike, Bike locks, bike security tips, cycling | Leave a Comment »

Cycle theft. How to protect your bike at home.

Posted on July 20, 2012 by tarahamilton

Cycle theft is a continuously growing crime, in all parts of the country. An ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude won’t protect your bike from theft. In the UK a bike is stolen every minute and less than 5% of those are returned to their owners. Bike owners are more likely to have their cycles stolen than car owners their car. Westminster is the worst affected place in London for cycle theft with over 3,000 bikes stolen over the course of one year, followed closely by over 1,500 in Hackney. Over a two year period 45,000 bikes were stolen in London alone. In Oxford bike theft rates have soared to almost 3,000 in a one year period. The majority of bike theft goes unreported, in 2010 an estimated 533,000 bikes were stolen but only 115,147 were actually reported to the police, meaning that only 1 in 5 victims report bike theft to the police.

The top 10 police forces for bike theft in 2010:

Metropolitan police: 21,315

Thames Valley: 6,060

Greater Manchester: 5,185

Cambridgeshire: 4,477

Avon and Somerset: 3,895

West Midlands: 3,222

Leicestershire: 3,057

Lancashire: 2,727

Sussex: 2,668

Humberside: 2,440

With such high figures of theft, it should not be taken lightly. It is important to report your bike crime to the police if your bike has been stolen, to enable them to crack down on bike theft and gather representative figures.

Bikes aren’t just stolen when you are out and about away from home. They are increasingly being targeted when left outside the home or attached to cars in driveways. There are a variety of different methods that you can use to help protect your bike from thieves.

Bicycle Insurance

Insurance is always good to have, to keep you protected in case your bike does get stolen. Bike insurance is available from many insurance companies with premiums starting from around £50. Bicycle insurance does require that you: Lock your bike securely at all time, use an approved lock and secure the bike to an immovable object. Bike insurance policies vary greatly, see more bike insurance details here>

Bike Locker

At home it can sometimes be difficult to store your bike out of public view. If you do not have a secure garage or leave your bike out on display, your bike will become an easy target for thieves. There are a range of bike sheds available on the market. For maximum security Asgard has a range of secure metal storage units, designed specifically to secure a bike. Asgard is the home of the UK’s bestselling bike storage unit. Asgard pushbike storage can hold from 1 to 4 bikes, dependant on the size. With recommendations from industry specialists there is no better way to keep your bike safe outside your home.

Bike Padlock

A good bike lock is great in deterring thieves from steeling your bike. Don’t go cheap, invest in something heavy duty that will stop a potential thief from coming anywhere near your bike and secure your bike. There are a variety of tough bike locks on the market. Asgard have a range of bike locks on offer, and other security locks such as the alarmed cycle disc lock, which activates when someone attempts to move your bike. See it in action>

Register Your Bike

Register your bike on Immobilise, which is the national property register. You can register many items on here from computers to phones. If a registered item is stolen, immobilise makes it easier to recover your property, it helps police to identify stolen goods and simplifies insurance claims.

Statistics from The Guardian, UK Crime Stats, Oxford Mail, Eastlondonlines

Filed under: asgard, bicycle alarm, bicycle locks, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, bike locks, Bike locks/security, Bike storage, bike theft, cycle locks, cycle storage, cycle theft, cycling, Secure storage, security locks, Storing your bike, Uncategorized | Tagged: Bike locks, Bike Security, Bike storage, bike theft, bikes, Cycle locks, cycle storage, cycle theft, Secure storage | Leave a Comment »

Your bike has been stolen, what do you do?

Posted on June 14, 2012 by tarahamilton

With bike theft a continuing threat, what would you do if you suddenly discovered your bike had been stolen? Should you leave it to the police, head round with some heavies or jump on the black-market merry-go-round and buy it back?At a loss? … the police warn against attempting to take a stolen bike back by force.

Your beloved bike has been stolen, and as per the advice all over the internet you’ve been scouring eBay and Gumtree for it. But if you do spot it, what next?

The obvious first answer is to contact the police; either your local station or, if you’re in London, the Metropolitan Police Service’s Cycle Task Force (cycletaskforce@met.police.uk). They urge bike owners to follow the 3 Rs – record, register (including a photo) and report (if stolen) – to maximise the chances of getting your bike back.

Reporting a sighting to the police does work out very well for some people. Charlotte Barnes and Julian Norman had eight of their bikes stolen from their garage, saw a couple of them for sale on eBay and got in touch with the Met Cycle Task Force. After a nailbiting week or so, all eight bikes were returned to them. Two people have since been arrested in connection with the case.

“I was initially concerned that they were taking quite a while before starting work on our case,” Charlottesays. “It just reflects how thin they’re stretched fighting cycle crime inLondon.” The statistics bear that out: only 2% ofLondon cycle crime was “detected” last year (ie with a suspect charged), although the number of returned bikes is probably a little higher than that. Nationwide, it’s estimated that around 5-8% of stolen bikes are returned to their owners.

According to Vicky Barnes of the Met, “each case is dealt with individually, and the length of time to act will vary”. Inevitably, given the numbers, there’s a risk that a bike will be sold on before the police are able to tackle the case. If you don’t think the police will act fast enough, what are your other options?

It might be tempting to round up a couple of hefty mates to have a “chat” with the thief. That advice certainly shows up a lot on bike forums – largely, it seems, from people who’ve never actually tried it. WhileCharlottedid know of a couple of people who’d successfully applied “overwhelming strength of numbers”, she and Julian never seriously considered that option. It’s certainly far from safe – remember, you’re dealing with people who are already on the wrong side of the law – and the police strongly recommend against it.

If you’re really desperate to get your bike back and you’re worried that the police won’t get there in time, it may seem safer (if infuriating) just to show up and buy it back.Charlotteadmits that winning the eBay auctions was their backup plan, “which gave us the option of turning up to collect them with local officers in tow”. Paying a thief for your own bike is going to be painful – but is it more or less painful than losing it?

Even then, it’s not that straightforward. There’s the known scam in which the seller mugs you for the cash when you turn up to buy the bike. Worse, if you’ve already contacted the police, by getting in touch with the seller you might screw up their operation.

Jon C saw his stolen bike being offered at a “seriously cheap” price online, with the police unable to investigate for a couple of days. Nervous that it would go, he phoned the seller, thinking he might just buy it back. When the arrangements began to increasingly seem like a setup for a mugging, and no local police officer was free to go along with him, he reluctantly backed out. Afterwards, the seller stopped answering the phone, the police were unable to go further and the bike is still sadly missing.

Agonising though the wait is, it probably is best to pass it on to the police and hope for the best. You can always fill in the waiting time by getting over those nagging feelings of disloyalty to your old steed early and planning the replacement bike you’ll get if it all goes to pot.

The Police Help To Combat Cycle Crime In Oxford

Posted on May 30, 2012 by andyheath

POLICE helped commuters avoid bike thefts by etching security codes on to frames outside Oxford’s railway station.

Officers from British Transport Police’s team based at the station marked bikes and promoted bike security measures on Thursday. Cycles were etched with a unique number to help police return them to their owners if they are stolen.

Pc Roddy Brown, pictured right, with cyclist Andy Bramwell, said bike thefts at the station had fallen dramatically since BTP reopened their Oxford base in February last year.

He said: “When we first came here we probably had one bike stolen every six days, but that has fallen to one every six or seven weeks.

“But we wanted to make sure people knew that it does still occur and that they need to take precautions.

“We find a lot of people who have £1,000 bikes buy a £10 lock. We are advising them that if you are going to spend that kind of money on a bike, it’s best to buy a better lock.”

The officers hold etching events every few months but Pc Brown said members of the public were always welcome to contact BTP officers at the station to get their bike tagged.

He added: “It only takes five minutes, so if people come and see us we will do it.”

From http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9715839.Cutting_out_cycle_crime/

Asgard the best for Bike Security

Filed under: bicycle locks, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, bike D lock, Bike Locker, Bike locks/security | Tagged: Bike locks, Bike Security, Bike storage, cycle crime, cycle theft | Leave a Comment »

Bike Security Marking Helps Tackle Cycle Crime

Posted on May 29, 2012 by andyheath

THE owner of a stolen Brompton bike, which was security marked and registered on Bikeregister.com by the Cycle Task Force, has been reunited with it this week.

The six gear Brompton cycle was stolen when the victim left it locked in Islington Green on 20 January this year.

However, The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Cycle Task Force, part of the Transport for London funded Safer Transport Command, marked the bike on 18 October 2011 after the owner visited one of their marking events they held at East Finchley Underground Station. The details of the bike were registered on Bikeregister.com, the preferred cycle register for the MPS.

Officers from the Cycle Task Force then searched an address in Newham on 18 May and found the stolen six-gear Brompton, along with another Brompton that was also reported stolen.

The six-gear Brompton had a chemical etching applied by the Cycle Task Force, which was checked on the Bikeregister.com database, providing details of the bike’s owner and allowing the Cycle Task Force to reunite them with the recovered bike.

The second Brompton was reported stolen from Aldwych on 20 March 2012.

A 43-year old woman was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and bailed to return to police in June.

Cycle Task Force Inspector Peter Salter, said: “The Cycle Task Force carry out regular bike security marking events across London and we are delighted that as a result, we are able to return a stolen bike to their rightful owner.

“This highlights how reporting crime to police and keeping information about items registered on property databases, up-to-date, assists police in restoring property to their rightful owners.

“We advise any cyclist to follow ‘the three R’s’ – record the details of their bike, register them onto the MPS preferred property database http://www.bikeregister.com and report any theft to the police. These are simple steps that all cyclists should take so that if their bike is stolen they stand a good chance of being reunited with it.

“Bike thieves should be aware that we will use the full powers of the law and range of tactics to track them down and bring them before the courts.”

Siwan Hayward, Deputy Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing at Transport for London, said: “This is yet another positive result from the Cycle Task Force, who on a daily basis work extremely hard to minimise bike theft in the Capital, and demonstrates the importance of cyclists registering their bike details.

“With the Mayor’s cycling revolution leading to an increase in ridership in recent years, we will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that London remains a safe and secure place for cyclists to enjoy.”

Andrew Knights MD of Bikeregister said: “This recovery shows the importance of applying a permanent visible mark to a valuable bike and then registering that code along with the serial number and bike details on a secure Home Office-approved database such as BikeRegister that is regularly referred to and searched by the Police. A particular problem the Police have, which BikeRegister solves, is tracing a genuine owner when suspect stolen bikes are identified or recovered.”

He concluded: “We are very pleased that yet another bike has been returned to its rightful owner thanks to the successful partnership of the MPS Cycle Task Force working together with BikeRegister.”

Secure your bike with a good quality bike storage unit.

Statistics found via the internet.

Filed under: bicycle alarm, bicycle locks, bike alarm system, Bike locks/security, cycle storage, cycle theft, cycling | Tagged: bike crime, bike theft, cycle storage, cycle theft | Leave a Comment »

Asgard bike shed review

Posted on January 9, 2012 by andyheath

Sarah wrote:

I came across the Access Bike shed from Asgard after my colleaugue recommended it to me. I cycle to work and recently decided to upgrade my bike as part of my Employers ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ to a Trek Road Bike. I know its not a good idea keeping this bike chained in my garden and was looking for something suitable to store my bike in.

At the time I ordered the Access bike shed, I used a discount code my colleaugue had received for recommending Asgard Sheds which meant I got a 5% discount on my order, as well as free delivery which is really good! I also went for the Accessory Pack with the shed which gives you 2 shelves and 5 hooks as I wanted to store my bike rack and cycling gear together.

I was very impressed with the level of communication I had when dealing with Asgard before the bike shed was delievered. I was called the day before the bike shed would be delivered by their own delivery van. The drivers were very helpful and they dropped it off in the back garden for me which is where I wanted to assemble it.

Although they say assembly takes around 20-45 mins, I would say it takes longer then that maybe an hour? But you definitely need someone to help you build the shed as some of the panels are quite heavy – especially when you are fixing the lift up lid.

Once built, it looks great and does the job. I would definatley recommend it if you cycle to work as it is easier to take out and go in the mornings without the hassle of bringing it in to the house etc – and makes my commute easier!

Asgard bike storage - designed and manufactured in the UK

Filed under: bicycle alarm, bike alarm system, Bike Locker, Bike locks/security, Bike storage, bike theft | Tagged: asgard bike shed, Bike locks, Bike Security, Bike storage, bikes, Metal sheds | Leave a Comment »

UKbikeforum.co.uk bike security advice

Posted on January 7, 2012 by andyheath

Another excellent article from one of the best online bike sites there is! http://www.ukbikeforum.co.uk

“Well, its one of those subjects every single one of us will know too much about. I personally have had a bike stolen and it’s not good. Bikes aren’t just transport for the majority of us they are a lot more, so when the worst happens it can be soul destroying. So, I have taken it upon myself to write an article on bike theft. Not only that but how to stop it happening to you.

My first bike, a brand new DT125R, was my baby. I didn’t have a garage at the time so it lived on my driveway under a cover with the biggest lock my money could buy through the rear wheel and through a high tensile custom made loop, its self sunk into four feet of concrete. I was taking no chances. As always there was a ‘However’. On returning from a friend’s after a drink I found only my lock, lying on the floor in two pieces. I was gutted, my baby was gone. All those sunny afternoons learning to wheelie, pulling girls at McDonalds… All gone!!! No More!!!

My insurance paid up 2 months later and all was well. But I learned a few valuable lessons from that afternoon which I’d like to share with you.

When the police came round to have a look (shockingly they did!) they didn’t seem surprised. I remember one looking at the lock up-close and just nodding I asked him how they got the lock off. “Easy…” he replied.

What he told me stuck with me and to be honest is a frightening thought. I was told basically my lock had been ‘frozen’ with a liquid Oxygen type chemical used by plumbers to freeze pipes for quick jobs to avoid turning off the water. When this is done it makes the metal very brittle and easy to cut through with a large pair of bolt croppers.

Although this is not as effective against some new chains on the market today, it will still work against 80% of chains sold in shops and most likely wrapped round the wheels of your pride and joy as you read this. When I brought my first bike I wasn’t rich and couldn’t afford £150+ for a top of the range chain and lock Not many people can afford this but there is a few simple cost effective things you can do to help protect your bike..

1: Lock it up…

Sounds simple but more the merrier. A chain on the rear wheel and a disc lock on the front is enough to ward off all but the most hardened scum… Err thief!

2: Lock it to something…

Even the most expensive lock in the world is not enough to stop a group of scum/thieves lifting your bike, loading it into a van and driving off. If you have a ground anchor make sure it’s fitted according the manufacturers instructions. A badly sunk bolt can be drilled out very simply. If you cannot afford a ground anchor or don’t have the room, looping your main chain through anything heavy can have the desired affective garden furniture, lawnmowers, piano’s, family members etc.

3: Buy The Best…

If you’re not that well off, let’s face it with all money the government swindles us out of just to ride, it’s not many of us! Buy the best lock your budget can afford. Ride recommended locks can be bought from as little as £95.Sounds a lot but ask yourself if it is really worth losing your bike for the sake of it?

4: Location, Location, Location…

Where you keep your bike when you’re not on it says a lot about you. My new bike lives in my kitchen… with a chain on it! If you have a garage, USE IT!!! It is a pain last thing at night, in the rain but so is getting up to find your bike gone.

Lock it up in your garage. Don’t just chuck it in and forget it make sure. Another idea is to fit a barrier on your garage’s door. Many styles are available and at prices well worth a look. If you don’t have a garage the best thing you can do is keep your baby out of sight. Whether that means in your house, down an alley or even with a cover over it, it all helps”.

Filed under: bicycle locks, bike alarm system, bike cable lock, Tools Storage Unit | Tagged: Best sheds, Bike Security, Bike storage | Leave a Comment »

Customer Review – The Access Bicycle Shed from Asgard

Posted on December 7, 2011 by nazishs

The Access Bike Shed is a popular bicycle storage solution with leading bike publications such as Bike Radar Magazine, Descent World and Cycling Plus – as well as with Asgard’s customers.

Bike Radar Magazine were hugely impressed with the Access Bike Shed – saying the unit had “excellent attack-proof design” and give it 4.5 stars out of 5 for its high quality, robust and secure design.

And they are not the only ones full of praise about Asgard! John Bennett, one customer who recently bought an Access bike storage unit through the Asgard website gives his feedback on the customer service received as well as his thoughts on the bike storage unit.

“I am very happy with my bike storage and your excellent service and happy to review it as below.

“I bought my Bike Storage x 4 to use for storing 2 children’s bikes and a whole heap of garden tools and outdoor equipment in our back garden. While security was an important issue, the high build quality was what attracted me to this unit rather than others. The unit is very secure, sturdy and well constructed giving that fantastic winning combination of an excellent piece of practical and well crafted design as well as top quality manufacturing that makes the unit feel like it will last a lifetime. The internal shelves and hooks provides an easy and tidy way to also store the whole range of cycling extras such as helmets, pumps, as well as gardening tools in my case.

The sales side of my purchase was also excellent. I emailed to ask a question whether I could use the unit on stable decking rather than concrete and I got a knowledgeable and trusted answer immediately to say yes. When asking about delivery dates I was put in contact with an engaging person who I felt took the care and responsibility and proactive follow up to ensure I received the unit when they said I would. The guy who installed it for me was courteous and took pride in what he was doing and the company he worked for. This really is how service should be done and I really appreciated and enjoyed receiving this nowadays rare level of excellence from the whole team.”

John Bennett

Asgard has received top customer reviews for its range of high quality, secure bicycle storage units.

For more secure bicycle sheds, see the full bicycle storage range from Asgard here.

Filed under: asgard, bicycle alarm, bicycle cable lock, bicycle combination lock, bicycle locks, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, bike cable lock, bike chain lock, Bike Locker, bike shed, bike shelter, Bike storage, Case studies, cycle storage | Tagged: access bike shed review, asgard bike shed review, Best sheds, best way to store 4 bikes, Bike storage, customer feedback for Asgard bike shed, customer review, cycle storage | Leave a Comment »

Motorbike Security Blog:

Posted on November 29, 2011 by andyheath

Taken from an online blog

Tips on Motorbike Security:

Before anything else you need to get your bike insured so that it is stolen it will not seem as if life as you know it is ending. It is definitely worth checking special Datatag or Alphadot Identification Bike Security which marks your bike with hidden codes that can only be read with special scanners, before doing anything else. Most police forces now have these and so it can make it easier to recover a stolen bike. The main thing to remember is that the name of this game is to persuade the thief that there is much easier prey out there than your bike. The more difficult it appears to steal – the less likely the thief will try, and if he does, well of course you make it as tough as possible for him to steal it by having solid motorbike security Secure your motorbike with two different types of lock. Professional thieves generally specialise in one type of lock. Many a cheap steel gives up the ghost when treated with ice spray. High-quality locks are resistant to ice spray attacks and carry a certification seal to this effect. Always try and cover your motorcycle as this is one additional thing the thieves have to get through to steal your bike. Make sure that all the motorbike security that you buy is either Thatcham or Sold Secure approved, as these met the highest standards in the industry. Thatcham is an approved testing agency and so even though it will be more expensive it will be near impossible for a thief to get through it. Another certification stamp that is recognised by the international test institutes’ labels is the VdS certificate. This certificate is given to top-security products that are distinguished by the solid use of hi-tech materials and high-quality locking systems. Avoid locks that feature tubular cylinders (the ones with the round key) as these particular locks are child’s play to pick Trials, Moto Cross and Enduro bikes are more difficult to trace when stolen, so they attract more interest from the thieves. If you own one of these types of bikes you really need to take your bike security that much more seriously Never leave any accessories on your bike

Always engage your steering lock If you are parking your bike in a high crime area it might be worth leaving your seat open so that thieves do not break the seat lock when searching for items to steal Think twice about having expensive logo stickers plastered all over your bike as this is a great way to market the expense of your bike to thieves You can register your bike with the DVLA so that the police will have records of your engine and frame numbers. If you have an off-road bike then you can register it with a private agency. Consider a dedicated motorcycle garage. These standalone units are often much stronger and more secure than a conventional domestic garage. These purpose built units are designed to house multiple bikes and equipment.

To see the Asgard range of motorcycle storage see the main page

Filed under: Best sheds, bicycle alarm, bike alarm system, bike shed, bike shelter, Bike storage, Moped Storage, motorbike security, motorbike storage shed, Motorbike storage Unit, motorcycle security, Motorcycle storage shed, Motorcycle Storage Unit, Uncategorized, What's in your shed? | Tagged: Best sheds, Metal sheds, Motorbike storage, Motorbike Theft, Motorbikes, Motorcycle security, motorcycle storage unit | Leave a Comment »

Customer Review – Access Bike Shed Bulk Pack

Posted on November 18, 2011 by nazishs

If you are new to cycling and have just recently bought a bicycle then you probably wondering where to store it when you are not riding it! And although its tempting to keep it inside your house or in an old shed, you need to think about how convenient and secure it would be.

Where will you store your shiny new bike?!

One option for new and experienced cyclists is the Access Bike Shed from Asgard which is an all-metal bike shed which can be installed in your garden for easy, convenient and most importantly – secure all year round storage. Asgard have put together an all-inclusive starter pack for cyclist who are looking to have the complete storage solution for their bike.

The Access Bike Store bulk pack consists of:

The industry acclaimed and UK best-selling Access Bike Store.
5 extra strong hooks (made from galvanized steel) – Ideal for hanging clothes and helmets.
2 x heavy duty shelves – perfect for riding shoes, water bottles etc.
1 x wooden flooring – Perfect for protecting your tyres.

The Access Bike Shed Bulk Pack – Buy Together and Save £££ off the combined RRP!

And it seems our customers love it! Damian Haigh, one of Asgard’s customers recently bought the Access Bike Shed to store his bicycle and gave his thoughts on his new store.

“Really pleased with the bike store, it’s well built and well designed and does exactly what I needed. I found putting it together quite easy and enjoyable once I managed to get the base plate the right way round (this bit could have been more idiot proof, but was fairly obvious really!)”

Damian Haigh

See more Bike Storage Units and Accessory Packs from Asgard Storage here.

Filed under: bicycle locks, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, bike shed, bike shelter | Tagged: Asgard cycle shed review, Best sheds, Bike Security, Bike storage, customer review bicycle shed, Cycle locks, cycle storage | Leave a Comment »

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