Police use DNA to nab bicycle thief

The recent use of bait bikes, GPS tracking and online registers by British police to snare bicycle thieves is certainly high-tech compared to the lacklustre response that has often met those that report their bike as stolen, but top marks for a proactive response goes to River police in Illinois.

When a thief in River Forest broke a garage window last year and stole a bicycle, he made the mistake of leaving a tiny trace of his blood. When the local CSI, referred to as scene of crime officers in this country, ran a DNA test it turned up a local man who was arrested and charged with burglary.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), said: “Technology has an increasingly important role to play in tackling bicycle crime, but it hasn’t yet replaced the need for good cycle insurance.”

Bicycle ejector seats

We were inspired to build a bicycle fitted with an anti-theft ejector seat last year after asking 800 cyclists to name their least favourite aspect of life on two wheels. Seven per cent worried most about their bicycle being stolen, so the bike is fitted with an ejector seat to catch out any thief that gets past a conventional lock.

If your cycle is not fitted with an ejector seat with which to dispatch bike thieves, worry not. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement if your bike is stolen, cover for accidental damage (race events included), third party insurance, personal accident cover and a bicycle breakdown recovery service. From 33p per week.