Bike Security Tips for Home Storage
1. Don’t Advertise the Bike
Thieves come in two groups; opportunistic thieves who are tempted by things they see, and professional thieves who have the tools needed to break into properties. You should avoid advertising your bike by keeping it locked away out of sight so that these opportunistic thieves don’t see it and decide to snatch it.
Please make it so that people can’t tell you’ve got a bike. Take your bike down from the roof rack if you aren’t driving and don’t leave the bike in the yard. Don’t leave the garage door open so that people can see into it and see your bike, either. Telling thieves that you have a bike is inviting them to steal it.
2. Don’t Post it all Over Social Media
We get that you’re proud of your bike, but avoid posting about it on social media all the time. There are many reports of people posting about expensive items like bikes on social media, and then having those objects stolen.
It would be good to double-check your privacy settings on social media too. If only your friends can see what you post, posting about expensive things is less risky. Speaking of social media, avoid posting about going – or being – on holiday. This lets people know that your house is empty and encourages break-ins.
3. Get a Good Anchor
Any physical barrier protecting your bike should be of high quality. You shouldn’t leave the bike just propped up against the wall of your shed. If you’ve got the space, then consider getting a wall anchor and securing your bike with a proper lock.
If you keep the bike in the house, then lock it to something immovable, like radiator pipes, or something else that thieves wouldn’t be able to get through. There are lots of wall mounts for bikes designed to fit the interior of your home.
4. Shore Up the Shed
Sheds are a risk factor for bike theft. Make the most out of shed security by using clutch-head screws for door hinges. These screws are hard to remove with Phillips end screwdrivers, which thieves use to remove hinges from doors. You’d be surprised by how many people break into sheds by removing the door.
As well as protecting the hinges, invest in an excellent weatherproof padlock to keep the door secure. One problem with padlocks is that the more expensive – and secure – a lock is, the more tempting it is. The more you invest in protecting something, the more thieves know you’re hiding something valuable.
5. Carefully Consider CCTV
Most bike owners invest in security cameras to protect their bikes and watch for break-ins. Experts recommend that you approach the matter carefully, however. CCTV works as a deterrent, but it only deters casual thieves. It’s unlikely that the video footage from the camera would be enough for an arrest and conviction because a dedicated thief will hide their face from the camera.
6. Protect e-Bike Batteries
If a thief can’t get to your e-bike or thinks it would be too much of a burden to steal it, they could still steal the battery on it. These batteries are worth a lot of money by themselves, often as much as a regular pushbike. Not every insurance company covers people when only the battery is stolen and not the bike itself. Choose an insurer that takes care of all the components of your bike, as well as the bike as a whole.
7. Consider Specialized Bike Insurance
Something else to consider with insurance is to get specialized individual bike insurance for your bike. Many people build up a fantastic no-claims bonus with their home insurance and then have to make a small claim on their bike. Even a small claim can send premiums skyrocketing. The excess on a bike policy tends to be much less than with a home insurance policy. It could be worth your time and money to get separate bike insurance rather than including it with your home insurance.
Final Thoughts
There are several things you can do to improve the security of your bike. Getting adequate insurance helps, but the best move is to make your bike as invisible as possible. People can’t be tempted to steal a bike they don’t know exists.
