Property protection
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Tuck a card containing your name and contact details into the bike's seat post or frame tube.
It provides quick proof of ownership.
3 people, independently
Contact local bike shops with a photo of your stolen bike to check if it has been brought in.
One person reported recovering their bike this way when a thief brought it in for service.
one person who lived it
Use multiple locks to secure both the frame and the front wheel to a sturdy object.
Securing both wheels and the frame provides better protection.
2 people, independently
Raise the bicycle seat so your leg is almost fully extended with a slight bend at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Pedaling will require far less effort.
- For bumpy off-road adventures, a lower seat is recommended.
one person who lived it
Inspect bike racks for signs of tampering, such as cuts covered with tape, before locking your bike.
Thieves may pre-cut racks during quiet times and mask the damage to help with quick theft later.
one person who lived it
Apply free scannable registration stickers from police departments or universities to your bike.
It makes the bike a hassle for thieves to sell or use, potentially causing them to skip it.
- Cannot stop a determined thief.
one person who lived it
Make high-end bikes look beat up with duct tape and scraped logos to deter thieves.
Thieves don't bother with them as long as you have a decent lock.
one person who lived it
- Modify your bike's appearance to be unattractive, such as using mismatched parts or an unfinished paint job, to reduce its appeal to thieves.2
Practice learning to ride in an isolated, flat area with no car traffic or crowds.
Embarrassment is often the biggest obstacle for adults learning to ride.
one person who lived it
Remove pedals instead of using training wheels to teach balancing and propelling with feet first.
Balance is the most important skill to learn; once mastered, the rest becomes easy, whereas training wheels slow progress.
2 people, independently
5 more on this
Use two different types of locks to deter thieves.
Thieves typically carry only one type of bolt cutters, so using different lock types requires tools they may not have.
one person who lived it
Buy a lightweight, decent-quality bike from a bike shop rather than a heavy second-hand one or a toy-shop bike with unnecessary features.
Heavy bikes are too hard for young children to pedal, preventing them from gaining enough speed to stay upright; pointless features add weight and cost.
one person who lived it
Remove the seat to deter theft because the thief cannot just ride off and must push the bike, inviting police attention.
Pushing a bike without a seat (and potentially without a front wheel) invites attention from the police.
one person who lived it
Bend training wheels up so they do not touch the ground when balanced but catch the rider if tipping occurs.
one person who lived it
Keep bicycle tires properly inflated.
It makes riding much easier.
one person who lived it