Picture this: you’ve just bought that gorgeous bike you’d been eyeing for months. It rides like a dream, looks amazing, and turns heads wherever you go. Unfortunately, it might also catch the attention of bike thieves. But don’t stress! Here are some simple, practical tips to help keep your bike safe and make life harder for thieves.
Even if your bike lease comes with theft insurance (which is awesome), it’s way better to avoid theft altogether. Trust us—you don’t want to deal with the hassle of insurance claims if you can help it. 😉
Preventing bike theft in 5 easy steps
Your bike theft insurance knows best
First thing any insurance company will ask if your bike gets stolen: “What kind of lock did you use, and was it properly secured?” So, let’s make sure you’re ready for those questions.
Step 1. Invest in a high-quality lock (or two!)
This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many bikes are stolen because they weren’t properly locked. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use a high-quality lock: Invest in something sturdy, like an ART2-certified lock made of hardened steel. These locks are tough to break and easy to lease or buy.
- Double up: Use a U-lock and a chain lock for extra security. Want to feel really safe? Lock your bike with a rear-wheel ring lock and an ART2-approved folding, U-lock, or cable lock. Thieves won’t know where to start!
Joule's tip 💡 Did you know theft insurance often requires you to use an approved lock? Investing in one now saves you headaches later.
Joule's fave? 😏 The ABUS Bordo Granit X-plus 6500. Think of it as the Porsche of bike locks. It’s not the cheapest, but neither is replacing your dream bike.
Step 2. Choose your parking spot wisely
No circling around for ages like you would in a car—yay! But still, be picky about where you park your bike.
Indoors is always better than outdoors.
- At home: Park inside whenever possible. Got a safe, covered storage area? Use it! No secure spot? At least park behind a locked gate and attach your bike to a solid anchor point.
- When out and about: Bright and busy beats dark and deserted. Opt for spots with cameras, like a bike rack near a library or movie theater. Thieves hate being on camera (no Oscar dreams here!).
Step 3. Anchor your bike, always.
- Always hang your bike to an anchor point such as a bike rack, pole, etc. so that thieves cannot make off with your bike. If a thief can just pick up your bike and walk away, insurance won't intervene. Oh-oh.
- Carefully inspect the anchor point. Is it sturdy and impossible to remove? Avoid sketchy options like thin tree trunks or loose signposts (yep, it happens). And cozy or not, another bike is not a fixed anchor point.
Joule's tip 💡 Some insurance policies require specific parking conditions. Check the fine print to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
4. Master the art of locking 🔐
It’s not just about where you park your bike—it’s also about how you secure it. Here are two key tips:
- Through your wheel AND frame. Don’t let thieves ride off with your wheels.
- Keep it high. Attach your lock higher up on the bike so it’s harder for thieves to get leverage.
5. Take your accessories with you
Don’t let thieves help themselves to your bike’s accessories! Keep track of anything valuable and take it with you when you leave your bike.
Consider, for example:
- e-bike battery
- GPS or display
- bike bags
- helmet
- bicycle lights
- saddle cover
- ...
💡 Joule's tip: Accessories aren’t covered by theft insurance, so keep them safe!
Track your bike with GPS
High-tech bikes? Why not high-tech security? Many bikes, especially e-bikes, can be equipped with GPS trackers. So, if the worst happens, you’ll have a much better chance of finding your ride.
Register your bike with Velopass
Registering your bike in a national database, like the bike theft registry, can make a big difference. Because if your bike got stolen and they recover it, it’s much easier to prove it’s yours. It also simplifies filing an insurance claim.
Did you know? In Belgium, 80 bikes are stolen every day. That’s over 30,000 bikes a year! And that number could be even higher, considering only 48% of bike theft victims actually report it to the police. 😱
To combat this, the Belgian government introduced the international bike registry, called Velopass. This system is modeled after the Brussels-based program, ‘MyBike.Brussels’.
Get your free sticker and place it on your bike frame. The sticker contains a unique code that allows you to store all your bike’s details in the registry and easily report theft if needed. Police use this database to tackle bike theft more efficiently.
Your Joule ID is your best friend
Leasing a bike through Joule and had it stolen? Oh no! The last thing you want in that moment is to scramble to find your details... Luckily, the green sticker on your bike has your unique ‘Joule ID.’ With this number, we can quickly access your information and check your bike insurance for you.
Joule's tip 💡 Take photos of your bike and the sticker, and keep them safe. Once your bike is stolen, you won’t have access to the sticker anymore. 😉
Bike stolen? Report it immediately!
If your bike gets stolen, don’t panic—just report it ASAP at your local police station or online at http://www.policeonweb.be/.
Leasing through Joule? Let us know right away and share your Joule ID so we can handle the insurance claim for you.
Joule's tip 💡 Keep both keys to your bike lock in a safe spot! If you lose one, the insurance company might not cover the theft.
Better safe than sorry
Follow these tips to stay one step ahead of bike thieves. With just a little extra care and the right tools, you can protect both your bike and your peace of mind. Invest in a solid (and approved) lock, don’t park your bike just anywhere, and make sure to register it. And if the worst happens, bike theft insurance will be your lifesaver.
Joule's tip 💡 Leasing a bike through Joule? You’re already covered! Seriously, bike leasing is kind of the ultimate win, isn’t it? 🚴♂️
Not leasing yet, but feeling the itch? We’ll help you scratch it. Let's talk!
