Don’t give bike thieves an easy ride

Bike loving Brits gearing up for the Tour De France risk being left in a spin by failing to protect their pedals.

With four in ten Brits already cycling, and a surge expected following the Grand Depart from Yorkshire, Halifax Home Insurance is urging homeowners to take steps to avoid bike theft.
 
According to recent figures, one in five cyclists has had their bike stolen, yet despite this almost a third (30%) admit they leave their bikes unlocked or unattended when out and about, and more than half (54%) say their bikes are not insured. The most common places for cyclists to leave their bikes are outside a shop (47%) in a park (20%) in a bike park (18%) and outside work (16%). Halifax Home Insurance warns many bike thefts are opportunistic, and with the average price of a bike in the UK now at £233 it is well worth taking steps to avoid becoming a victim.
 
Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager, Halifax Home Insurance, said:"Bike thieves looking for an easy ride will choose the path of least resistance, so making bikes harder to steal and having the right type of insurance cover means cyclists are protected by more than just a helmet.
 
“Keeping receipts and taking photographs of the bike after purchase, and also noting any modifications such as additional lights or mudguards can help speed up an insurance claim should the worst happen.
 
“Anyone who is unlucky enough to have a bike stolen should report it to the police as soon as possible and obtain a crime reference number, which will be needed in order to progress a claim.”
 
Halifax Home Insurance advice for cyclists:

Invest in a good lock. Use a D-shape lock as cable locks can be cut easily

Check your home insurance policy and consider additional cover for contents outside the home if you use a bike to travel regularly

Take photographs, keep receipts and note the name, specific model and serial number of the bike

Ensure your bike frame is marked and registered with a police security initiative such as bikeregister.com

Park your bike in well-lit busy areas where possible

Make use of bicycle racks wherever possible and always lock your bike even if only leaving it for a few minutes
 
For more information, visit halifax.co.uk/insurance.