How to prevent bike theft

May 28 2025

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With 66,960 bikes reported stolen in the past year, our security experts at ADT have offered their expert advice on how to prevent bike theft and deter thieves from future burglary attempts. 

When storing your bike at home, we can help provide peace of mind. Have a chat with our team and explore how we can protect your possessions from theft. 

What our expert says about bike theft 

Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK Subscriber comments: “Bikes are one of the most targeted modes of transport for thieves as they don’t require keys to start an engine, and more often than not, they don’t always have security alarms, making them more discreet than cars.  

“Bikes are still expensive items to lose to thieves and can cause major inconvenience and stress to owners if they are stolen. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can protect your bike, aside from investing in a new lock. 

“Even when taking precautions, there is a risk of bike thefts. It is important to act quickly and follow these tips to increase the chance of finding your stolen bike.”   

Register your bike 

Just as you would do with a car, it’s important to register your bike as this can help to trace it back to you if it’s recovered by the police. Services such as Bike Register are used by the police to locate stolen bikes. 

You can find the frame number on the underside of the bike, between the pedals, or where the back wheel slots in.  

Double-lock your bike 

Using two locks will slow thieves down and make your bike less of a target for potential thieves. We recommend locking the frame of your bike and both wheels to a secure cycle stand and use different codes for each lock. 

Take removable parts with you 

If you are able to, it’s good practice to remove parts such as the saddle, wheels, lights and baskets. This reduces the risk of the bike being stolen, as criminals tend to opt for a full working bike rather than one with parts missing. 

Fold up your fold-up  

Fold-up bikes are designed with portability in mind, so instead of locking it up outdoors, take it with you whenever possible. Cafes and restaurants may have a cloakroom you can store it in, whilst offices with a Cycle to Work Scheme should have suitable storage available. 

Find a great parking spot  

When you come to a stop, don’t just park your bike anywhere; there are plenty of options in public places to park your bike. Most are specifically designed to reduce bike theft, from lockers at train stations to bars with sturdy concrete bottoms you can attach your bike to. 

Check your local council’s website to find out where’s best to store your bike. 

Keep an eye on your bike at home   

If you keep your bike in an outbuilding or garage, it’s important to lock your bike at home as you would on the street. Make sure to double-lock your bikes and avoid advertising you have a bike at home on social media. 

Consider removing any bike roof racks from your car, as these can be a giveaway that a bike is stored on the property. Also, make sure privacy settings on apps such as Strava are set to private, so thieves cannot find your location. 

Invest in outdoor lighting and a camera

It’s a good idea to invest in outdoor lighting for your outbuilding or garage, as these can help illuminate the area and make them easier to monitor. If any of your outdoor lights are not working properly, it’s important to fix them - having the areas outside of your property well-lit makes it a lot harder for burglars to work on doors and windows discreetly, making your bike and home less of a target. 

An outdoor camera is also worth investing in. Our cameras provide clear visibility day or night, casting a watchful eye over your bike storage space while also serving as a visible deterrent to potential thieves. 

Conceal a tracking device  

Concealing a tracking device such as an Air Tag in the saddle can be useful if your bike is stolen, as it can help the police locate and retrieve your stolen bike. 

Inform the police 

If your bike has been stolen, ring the police non-emergency number 101 or visit your local police station. The police may not be able to catch the thief red-handed, but starting a case will allow you to keep track of its progress. 

If you have insurance on your bike, most insurance companies require a case number to assist your claim. If your bike has been stolen from a train or tube station, call the British Transport Police on 0800 405 040. 

Check online marketplaces  

You should also make sure to check sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to see if it is being sold. Consider setting up alerts that match the description of your bike, and remember that individual parts might be listed rather than the full bike. 

For more advice on protecting your personal belongings, take a look through our garage security guide.

Bike theft figures: https://www.statista.com/statistics/303562/bicycle-theft-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/