How Much Do You REALLY Need to Spend on a Bike Lock?

Ever thought of the correct quantity to put money into securing your bike? Maybe you’ve heard the widespread recommendation of spending 10% of your bike’s worth on a lock. However is that this guideline actually efficient?

We’re diving deep right into a query that each bicycle owner has thought of; how a lot do you really want to spend on a motorcycle lock to make sure its security?

Intrigued? Properly, keep tuned to search out out the decision, in addition to our primary reasonably priced tip for how one can safeguard your bike. And, spoiler alert: it isn’t nearly shopping for an costly lock!

Why Are So Many Bikes Stolen?

Bike theft is a very persistent and aggravating crime. In keeping with knowledge from the Nationwide Workplace of Statistics, a motorcycle is stolen on common each 7 minutes within the UK alone. What’s worse is, that’s simply the reported ones! One examine by Stolen Bikes UK estimated that over 70% of individuals don’t even trouble to report a stolen bike to the police.

Whereas it could be disheartening, the reality is that bike theft is an unlucky actuality for cyclists. Criminals discover it to be a low-risk, high-reward crime, particularly when bikes are inadequately locked or left in weak areas.

To make issues worse, in keeping with the Home of Commons Library, nearly 90% of motorbike thefts in England go unsolved. It’s a fixed concern for cyclists to have a motorcycle stolen, however thankfully, there are preventative measures, they usually don’t have to interrupt the financial institution.

How A lot Ought to I Spend on a Bike Lock?

Now, let’s be practical – any bike lock will be minimize. None are invincible. In the event you’re hoping for a lock that you should utilize absentmindedly to guard your bike from theft, regrettably, it doesn’t exist.

There’s a well-liked saying that claims it is best to spend 10% of your bike’s worth on a locking system. While this is likely to be an affordable approximation, it doesn’t actually add up in lots of situations. In the event you purchase a motorcycle for £250, would a £25 lock be ample? In all probability not.

In all honesty, this determine is essentially arbitrary. There are such a lot of components to contemplate, equivalent to the placement it’s locked in, the worth of the bike, and the period of time it’s saved outdoors. Nevertheless, we’ll say that If 10% of your bike’s worth appears like an excessive amount of to spend on a lock, then possibly it is best to take into account whether or not you may afford to lose 100% of your bike’s worth if it’s stolen. 

However how a lot do you have to spend on a motorcycle lock? Properly, the exhausting fact is, as a lot as you’ll be able to afford to. The safer the lock you utilize, the much less seemingly it’s that your bike will probably be stolen. An affordable lock is a false economic system and may have you shelling out sooner or later for each a brand new bike and a brand new lock.

After all, a costlier bike warrants higher safety, however even cheaper, much less fascinating bikes deserve an excellent lock. In case your lock will be minimize shortly with cable cutters, in an city surroundings, it’s borderline ineffective. For a motorcycle thief, it’s barely even a deterrent.

The underside line is that for those who can’t afford to have your bike stolen, try to be doing every little thing you could to guard it. There are extra enjoyable methods to spend cash than on a motorcycle lock, however one issues for positive, it undoubtedly beats shopping for a brand new bike.

Two Locks Are Higher Than One

However right here’s the catch: it’s not nearly a single lock. Even the perfect D-Locks, Sensible locks, and folding locks nonetheless solely require one break to make your bike stealable.

In the case of safety, there’s one surefire option to make your bike as safe as potential. Our primary tip for shielding your bike from theft is to make use of two locks. In the event you’re leaving your bike in a public place, utilizing two locks is one of the simplest ways to assist stop it from being stolen.

Ideally, you’d use a mixture of two totally different lock sorts. For instance, a D or U lock mixed with a stable chain or a folding lock. When utilizing a typical bike rack, this lets you safe essentially the most weak components of your bike, i.e. the body and each wheels. It may also require extra instruments in your bike to be stolen, deterring any potential thieves from extra work, particularly if there are simpler targets close by. 

While this received’t deter essentially the most persistent thieves, two locks are normally going to create sufficient of a problem to cease potential thieves from eager to steal your bike. 

Bike Safety System: Additional Safety

Locking your bike with two locks needs to be the norm, however there are some additional steps you could take to make your bike a tougher goal.

To stop your bike from being stolen, a stable, multi-layered safety system is essential. This entails not solely utilizing a dependable lock but in addition using good locking strategies alongside different safety measures. It’s this mixture of steps that’s the most foolproof option to stop your bike from being stolen.

Outdoors of the lock itself, listed below are 4 extra issues you are able to do to enhance your bike safety system:

1. Lock Your Bike in a Protected Place

The following neatest thing after staying along with your bike is holding it indoors. Bikes left open air, particularly in the event that they’re left in a single day, in areas of poor visibility or for lengthy intervals of time, are all the time going to be extra prone to theft. In the event you do lock it outdoors, attempt to preserve it within the public eye. Most bike thieves need to function discreetly, so make sure that it isn’t someplace the place only some individuals go by.

2. Lock it Properly

The locks you utilize are vital, however they’re no good for those who don’t use them nicely. Be sure that to safe each wheels of your bike and your body to a stable, immovable object. The only option is normally a chosen bike rack.

It’s additionally vital to ensure that the locks you’re utilizing don’t have an excessive amount of wiggle room. This fashion, thieves can’t so simply use leverage to their benefit when trying to interrupt them.

3. Bike Cowl

Out of sight, out of thoughts. In the event you’re lucky sufficient to have a useful bike, think about using a motorcycle cowl to forestall it from drawing an excessive amount of consideration. There are a great deal of choices for lockable bike covers they usually don’t need to value you an arm and a leg. Bike covers even have the added bonus of defending your bike from the weather, so it’s a win-win for each your bike and your pockets in the long term.

4. Put together for the worst-case state of affairs

Put together for the worst-case state of affairs relating to bike theft. For that reason, insurance coverage is an effective way to get some piece of thoughts. Most insurers will need you to make use of on the very least one first rate lock, such because the Gold and Diamond degree locks that Bought Safe recommends. 

Investing in a motorcycle safety system is the best way to go, and it’s this mixture of steps that gives the best degree of safety in your valuable journey companion. 

If there’s one takeaway from this video, it’s that it is best to in all probability be spending extra in your bike safety system, particularly if changing your bike would trigger you monetary stress. No lock is resistant to breakage, however by taking just a few key steps you’ll be able to create a safe fortress round your bike. 

Whereas the lock’s value is essential, your bike’s safety isn’t solely depending on it. Shield it properly and trip safely.