Cycle theft countermeasures

Battery powered angle grinders have been a game changer for cycle thieves. Small, powerful and quieter than their mains-powered cousins, the cordless tools make short work of every design of cycle lock. It's a problem that prompted us to ask 'what would Q dream up to protect James Bond's bike?' - a question that led to an anti-theft ejector seat.

However, cyclists need real world solutions. Research has shown that bike theft can stop a person cycling for good. It's more sticking plaster than solution, but a good cycle insurance policy reimburses you for your stolen bike without devaluing it and a quick online claims service can have you back in the saddle within days.

Protection for you and your bike

A true test of a cycle insurance company is what happens when you make a claim – it’s why we don’t farm out the process to a third party like other providers. Your claim is dealt with by one of us here and you're always welcome to call us directly. It’s also the reason we will never devalue your bicycle, no matter how old it is.

We don’t claim to be the cheapest cover on the market, but should you ever need to make a claim, you’ll understand why we consider ourselves to be the best. After all, we are judged by The Good Shopping Guide to be Britain's most ethical provider.

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Bike thieves are, for the most part, specialists; they target particular cycle racks at particular times and, if stealing from your shed, will overlook other valuable items in favour of a bicycle. From a thief’s perspective, it’s pretty much the perfect crime; most bicycles are easy to steal, difficult to trace and a breeze to sell on. Having a bicycle stolen is at best an inconvenience, but it’s also demoralising and if the bike is not covered by insurance, at worst it can mean that victims of theft give up on cycling for good.

How a thief plans to steal your bike

Lifting: If you lock your bicycle to an 'unclosed' structure such as a street sign, be prepared for thieves to stand on each others shoulders to try and lift it over the top. Another risk is that the post itself is not properly secured to the ground and can be simply lifted clear of your bicycle and lock.

Levering: Leave as little room as possible between your bicycle frame and lock as this makes it harder for thieves to insert crowbars or car jacks.

Striking: Avoid fitting your lock so that it rest on the ground as this makes it easier for thieves to strike it with a hammer.

Cutting: There is no lock on the market that can withstand attack by thief equipped with an angle grinder - this fact alone is a good reason to get cycle insurance.

Thieves would far sooner take a bike with flimsy security than tackle a gold standard lock. Invest as much as you can afford in your lock and learn to use it properly – insurers specify that it needs to secure the bike frame for good reason. Don’t worry too much about getting the lock around the wheels or other bike parts as the best insurance policies will cover them against theft whether they are locked or not.

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