BICYCLE SECURITY

Now that Summer is with us more and more of us will be out and about on our bicycles. A few simple precautions can ensure that we can still ride home after popping into the shop for a nice cold drink or similar situation.

Bicycles are frequently stolen by the thief because of the ease with which they can be sold. Make sure that you lock a cycle whenever you leave it, even if you are just leaving it unattended briefly.

Have the frame marked with your postcode, your local crime prevention officer may be able to arrange this (or ask your street's Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator), and keep a record of the frame number.

Lock your cycle to a static object such as a lamppost or roadsign whenever you leave it, preferably using a loop type purpose built cycle lock. These are more secure than a simple chain lock and usually have the advantage of being designed to clip onto the cycle frame when not in use.