Not that I own bikes that might be of interest to thieves, but I've found the best way to prevent theft is to stay on the bike I'm out on,
all the time. Not that I see many people while I'm out, but I do sometimes ride by a permanent facility for a group who might move their homes around the country from time to time.... I'm always in a hurry when close to their location .....
There are times when I'd quite like to ride to the shops, but I'm not sure my saddle would still be on the bike when I returned, and some places I could park, maybe the wheels would disappear? QR clamps are useful like that. Maybe I should consider the 'key' locks I've seen on Ebay? A key for the locks would be something else to carry in the bike toolkit (and lose)?
On a more serious note, I can see why bike insurance is becoming expensive. Gone are the days when a
top spec bike might be circa £2000. These days £6000 is not so unusual, and £10,000 isn't as unusual as it should be either. For insurance companies to cover the cost of losses of these bikes, they surely have to charge ridiculous amounts of money in premiums to make sure they don't go broke paying out. Fraud must be a big problem too. A Specialised Levo, with it's 3rd motor replacement in warranty that needs a 4th motor outside of warranty, might be a better economic choice to have it "stolen", especially with a new for old policy. Who'd be an insurer of expensive e-bikes in the £4-£10k region? How could you make a profit without overcharging the lower value, lower risk customers? Is there an argument for capping the risk, by refusing to insure a bike with a greater value than (say) £2000? With a 'premium' value/higher risk company (or companies) providing insurance cover for the upmarket models so often stolen in cities by 'professional' thieves?
New technology is helping ....
At least bicycle owners and e-bike owners
can get their transport insured.....
Kirsten Lijeskic, 38, says she got the £56,000 wheels in September 2022 and had been paying £130 a month insurance for her and her husband. But now the cheapest quote they can find is £890 a month.
www.dailymail.co.uk
A Range Rover (pictured) was stolen just one day after frustrated owner Mark Perring, 52 from Essex, handed the car back to the finance firm after being quoted £14,000 for insurance.
www.dailymail.co.uk
And when bikes get stolen, are the police
always interested these days?
Theft victim forked out £40 to retrieve it ... but will have to spend £300 to replace parts
road.cc
Yes, sometimes .....
It's the thing cyclists all hope will never happen. You lock your bike up somewhere, only to return to find an empty cycle stand. Cycling UK's Infrastructure Campaigner, Tom Guha explains how he managed to be reunited with his beloved Specialized Sirrus after it was stolen. As should be obvious...
www.cyclinguk.org
And there are Good Samaritans out there .....
Ste Burke knew he was given a great deal on a mountain bike, so he made it his mission to find its home.
www.bicycling.com
