Knog Scout - not the loudest bike alarm, but maybe the cleverest

There's no alarm that'll stop a determined bike thief, but that doesn't stop folk from developing new takes on the idea. We even had a go ourselves with the Bike Mine.

When tripped by a thief, the device detonates a 150 dB blast of sound; more than enough to startle a thief and raise the alarm. It's not intended to replace the need for a good insurance policy, but rather provide a low-tech way of protecting your bicycle when it's stored on your property. And because there are no batteries to run down and only one moving part, it's reliable around the clock and in all weathers.

Suffice to say, we never expected the Bike Mine to take off. A better contender for commercial success is the (albeit much quieter) Knog Scout bicycle alarm.

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Once armed, any movement will trigger the motion-sensitive 85dB alarm. And if the thief makes off with the bike, it can be located using Apple's network via the 'Find My' app

Relying on an alarm to safeguard your bike is a gamble. While the loud sound might deter a casual thief, determined criminals operate in broad daylight and with little regard for security devices of any kind. In fact, many will happily cut away locks using a noisy angle grinder while in plain view of passers-by - a situation not helped by police forces who place bike theft very low on their list of priorities.

Thankfully, a good cycle insurance policy remains a tried and tested way of protecting your bike however brazen thieves become.

Win a bike alarm

We have a Knog Scout bike alarm worth £50 to give away. If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning it, please leave us a comment below and we'll pick a winner next week.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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