How to Prevent Bicycle Theft: Safe Proven Tips

Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner

This is a serious problem that actually affects millions of cyclists worldwide, as thousands of bicycles are stolen each year in cities like New York and London and studies show that globally a bicycle is stolen every 30 seconds.

As well as, Approximately 2 million bicycles are stolen each year in the United States in the United States.[¹]

You will be surprised to know that more than half of the victims of bicycle theft never actually get their bicycles back, and many do not even report the crime, so you can imagine the seriousness of this rampant theft.

Now it’s just that, most thefts happen in public places, even when the bicycles are locked.

The hard truth is that if a bicycle is not properly secured, most thieves don’t need more than a few minutes and basic tools to steal it.

That is why it becomes very important to learn How to Prevent Bicycle Theft and it is really the need of the hour.

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Understand Why Bicycle Get Stolen

You could say this is often an easy task and target for thieves as they are very light, obviously valuable and usually left in a public area with very little security.

1. Common Reasons Thieves Target Bikes

Quick cash is the root cause of most bicycle thefts, as bicycles worth $200 to $15,000 or more are very attractive targets for thieves.

Think about it, such a huge amount of money is kept in one place without a lock or with very poor security, so thieves love it.

Also, if you have popular models of bicycles from well-known brands or have high-end components fitted, this will be even more attractive to criminals as those types of components will be easier to resell.

Because they can sell anywhere on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or they can even go to local pawn shops.

Poorly lit areas for parking at night are also favorite spots for thieves.

Furthermore, studies by crime prevention organizations actually show that over 75% of stolen bicycles were either improperly locked or not locked at all, would you believe it, not locked at all!!

2. High-Risk Locations and Situations

Yes, there are certain types of areas where thieves can act quickly and without much attention, which are also high-risk locations such as:

Thieves can easily reach railway stations and bus stops where bicycles are parked for long periods.

College campuses and schools: Yes, thieves do indeed target students bikes.

Outside of gyms, cafes and shopping centers, there are some shops where the lights are dim or the streets are quiet.

In addition, you should be aware that thieves tend to strike early in the morning or late at night, when there is little foot traffic, so parking your bicycle for long periods of time or leaving it in the same place daily can increase the risk of theft.

3. What Types of Bikes Are Most Vulnerable

The fact is that some types of bicycles are more attractive to thieves than others, including:

1. Expensive Road Bikes
2. E-Bikes
3. Popular Brakes Bike Like: Trek, Giant, Scott or Hero
4. Lightweight Bikes: Easier to Lift and Carry
5. Unlocked or Poorly Secured Bikes: This doesn’t need a price tag, they steal such bikes the moment they get the opportunity, regardless of their value.

So, we can say that almost all types of bikes, even old or cheap ones, can be stolen if you leave them unsecured, in short: if it seems easy to steal they probably will.

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Choose the Right Lock

If you use the right type of lock and the correct locking technique it can protect your bicycle from potential theft.

1. Types of Bike Locks

There are many types of bicycle locks available such as: U-locks, chain locks, folding locks and cable locks.

U-Lock or D-Lock

This is one of the strongest options available, as it’s made of really hardened steel that’s shaped like the letter “U.”

It is virtually cut resistant and gives you a better range of attack than most locks, this will be very secure when you lock the frame and rear wheel with something strong.

Chain Lock

This lock is made of thick metal links and such locks are ideal for high crime areas, but make sure about the quality, the thickness and hardness of the chain, and these types of locks are considered very strong as they are made of pure steel or iron, so how thieves can steal it easily.

Folding Lock

These locks are actually made of steel bars that actually bend like a ruler, yes they are also very compact and portable.

Moreover, they provide better security than cable locks but less than U-locks.

Cable Lock

You can also use this lock in low-risk areas or to secure accessories like helmets or wheels, yes, they are very lightweight but at the same time cable locks are really easy to cut and should be avoided in high-risk areas.[²]

Lock Type	Pros	Cons
U-Lock	It is very strong, and is widely trusted.	You can use it in limited spaces and yes, they are heavy too.
Chain Lock	Flexible, also provides high security.	They are actually too heavy to carry.
Folding Lock	Compact, and offers a moderate level of protection.	These types of locks are really expensive and are of medium strength.
Cable Lock	Light and Cheap.	These can be easily cut by thieves and are not very secure.

2. How to Properly Lock Your Bicycle

Even the best locks won’t protect you from theft if you don’t know how to lock your bicycle properly.

So, you should always use them and lock your bicycle in the ideal way like:

1. Always lock the frame: Don’t just lock the wheels, as thieves can literally remove a wheel in a matter of seconds.
2. Use a Solid & Immovable Object: Always lock the frame and at least one wheel to something immovable.[³]
3. Lock the rear wheel and frame: If you lock the rear wheel and frame at the same time, this method actually provides protection of two important parts with one lock.
4. Off the ground: Keep the lock off the ground, because if it touches the ground it will be easier for thieves to break it.
5. Two locks: If you want extra security, you can use two locks instead of one: and you can also use one lock for the frame and one for the front wheel.
6. No Space: You have to make sure that whatever type of lock you have, it should fit snugly with very little space inside, so the thing is, the tighter it fits, the harder it will be to break it using leverage type tools.

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Use Two Locks for Extra Security

This is the actual reality and the most effective way to keep your bicycle secure in cities or high-theft areas, because you must use two locks.

1. Why Two Locks Are Better Than One

It is obvious that the majority of bicycle thefts are “crimes of opportunity”, which is why thieves really want to steal a bicycle in less than 2 minutes, as they usually only use basic tools like bolt cutters or pry bars, so when you put only one lock on only one part of the bicycle they only have to break one and they can keep the bicycle.

• You can easily trick them when you use two different types of locks instead.
• Moreover, it enhances the safety of your bicycle in several ways such as:
• This literally doubles the protection of both the frame and the wheels.
• Additionally, thieves need to carry more than one type of tool, such as: one for the U-lock and another for the chain or cable.
• It will really take a lot of time to steal a bicycle, which is what most thieves are worried about.

Finally, this reduces the likelihood of your bicycle being chosen as a target in the first place, because there is another bicycle near your bicycle that is less protected, so the thief will aim at that bicycle, not yours.

Plus, several security studies and police reports actually confirm that a bicycle with two quality locks is 80% less likely to be stolen than a bicycle with only one lock or a poor quality lock.

2. Recommended Lock Combinations

Basically our goal in using different types of locks is to secure as many parts of the bicycle as possible, and specifically apply locks to the frame, rear wheel and front wheel.

Here are some proven and practical lock combinations:

U-Lock + Heavy Chain Lock

You can use a U-lock to secure the rear wheel and frame of your bicycle to a solid object, while a chain lock actually provides you with security for the front wheel or seat.

So, this combo actually provides excellent resistance to both cutting and leverage attacks.

U-Lock + Cable Lock

If you want lighter and more portable options here are:

If you actually lock the frame and rear wheel with the help of a U-lock, and then use a cable to connect it to the front wheel and seat.

Yes, it is true that cable locks are easier to cut, but when used as a secondary lock instead, they still add an extra layer of prevention.

Chain Lock + Folding Lock

This combination is ideally used for the purpose of flexibility, as the folding lock really firmly secures the frame and the chain can then be looped through the wheels or even around difficult bike racks.

IMPORTANT: Use a stronger lock for the frame part and a less secure lock for the front wheel or accessories, and you will have a very highly secured bicycle that tends to effectively deter any potential theft.

Read More:

How to Improve Cycling Speed

How To Transport Bikes Without a Rack

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Track Your Bicycle By Using GPS or Smart Locks

This is also called preventing bicycle theft, as it not only involves using strong locks, but you should also use smart technology.

1. GPS Trackers for Bicycles

GPS trackers are actually small devices that can be hidden on your bicycle’s frame, seat, handlebars, or even in a bottle cage.

And once you install the GPS tracker they send live location data directly to your phone via an app, and yes, they use cellular networks and satellite signals to do this.

Moreover, these also have real-time tracking feature that updates the location of your bicycle if it gets moved or stolen, geofencing alerts which actually give notifications, so it will notify you when your bicycle goes out of a designated area.

Not only that, but some models even include motion or vibration alerts that provide immediate warning.

Most trackers are battery-powered, but in reality they can last anywhere from a few days to several months, obviously depending on the type of usage you have.

2. App-Connected Smart Locks and Alarm Systems

There are smart locks available that actually take this prevention a step further, as they combine a physical locking mechanism with digital controls, as most connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

You can have it automatically lock and unlock when you approach or leave your bicycle, plus there are theft alerts available, such as one that activates if someone tampers with the lock or cuts the tire.

Yes, there are built-in alarms available that produce sound over 100 decibels, which is enough to scare away thieves.

Apart from this, it also has unlock sharing feature, like if you want to allow your friend to use your bicycle temporarily, you can do so with this feature.

There are popular GPS tracking devices available such as:

1. Apple AirTag: This works well in Apple’s Find My network, and is actually best in crowded urban areas.
2. Invoxia GPS Tracker: It has a long battery life, up to several weeks, and you can also do real-time tracking with movement alerts.
3. Boomerang Cyclotrack: It is a robust GPS and anti-theft system that gives alerts on mobile phone, it can also share real-time location and alarm alerts.
4. BikeTrax by PowerUnity: You can integrate this inside the e-bike motor system, providing covert GPS tracking with a really long-lasting battery.

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Conclusion On How to Prevent Bicycle Theft

You have to plan smartly and use the right kind of equipment that can actually prevent the bicycle from getting stolen.

In short, you should use two locks which can really increase the security a lot.

And of course if you really want to ignore the frustration, cost then you need to lock your frame and wheels and choose smart parking spots to prevent all theft.

That’s all about this guide on How to Prevent Bicycle Theft and if you have any questions then please let us know with the help of the comment section.

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Frequently Asked Questions

[1] Velco. (2024). Bicycle theft statistics in the USA and how to prevent it. Retrieved from https://velco.tech/en/bicycle-theft-statistics-in-the-usa/

[2] 2025 Bicycle Theft Stats: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Bike https://bikeindex.org/news/2025-bicycle-theft-stats-what-you-need-to-know-to-protect-your-bike

[3] Did someone steal your bike in Houston? Here’s how to report bicycle theft to police https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/stolen-bike-houston-20173295.php