Cycle security advice

Register your bicycle model, make and frame number. This assists the police in returning recovered bicycles to their rightful owners. You can sign up to a free registration service which helps the police trace lost or stolen bicycles and return them to their owner. Register your property with immobilise.com

Take a clear, colour photograph of your bicycle and make a written record of its description, including any unique features, so that you can report it accurately if stolen. 

A number of proprietary marking and tagging systems are available. To be effective a security marking must: 

• Be clearly visible – advertise that the bicycle is security marked or tagged. For example, attaching a clearly visible label is a simple option. 
• Be secure – for example, by using a tamper-resistant label, etching or an inaccessible electronic device. 
• Be placed in at least two separate locations, preferably on or in the frame.  
• Give clear information via the visible mark (label, etching, etc) that will quickly allow police to identify the method of security marking or tagging (and where applicable the registration company), and through this identify the owner. 

• Leave your bicycle where a potential thief will have to perform in public! 
• Park your bicycle safely and considerately by using cycle parking stands provided at our stations. Park it where it will not be a hazard, obstruction or inconvenience to other people – particularly the visually impaired and other disabled people. Allow space for prams and wheelchairs and other cyclists. Never park in front of a fire exit.  Under railway byelaws we retain the right to remove any bicycle if we believe it is causing an obstruction and we are not liable for the cost of damage to the lock or the bicycle itself. 
• If yours is a very expensive bicycle, don’t lock it in the same place on a regular basis – so it won’t be noticed and stolen to order. 

Locking your bicycle is the best way to prevent it from being stolen by an opportunist thief. No lock will give you complete protection as all locks can be broken but using more than one lock will make it more difficult for anyone to steal your bicycle.

Remember the following when locking your bicycle:

• Always lock your bicycle, even if you are just leaving it for a couple of minutes
• Lock it to an immovable object. Use a dedicated bike rack if available
• Lock it through the frame and both wheels to a strong immovable object
• Use more than one lock 
• Keep your spare key in a safe place - you'll need it should your keys be lost or stolen
• Keep a note of your key number (this number will either be on the key or come with your lock when you buy it) so you can replace it if all else fails
• Secure removable parts. Lock both wheels and the frame together. Take with you smaller parts and accessories that can be removed without tools, for example lights, pumps, computers, panniers and quick-release saddles, or fit security fasteners on items such as wheels, headsets and seat posts
• Locks can also be picked, so face the lock towards the ground (but not resting on it) so it can’t easily be turned upwards for picking
• Make the lock (and chain, if used) and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked.

• Keep the lock (and/or chain) away from the ground 
• Keep the gap between the bike and the lock small
• Never leave the lock lying on the pavement – a lock can be sledge hammered easily when it’s resting on the ground.
• Get a good quality lock