Bike lock: No chance for bike thieves - the best way to protect your bike

Author: Barbara Merz-Weigandt / Source: Ergo Versicherung

Bicycle theft is a major annoyance for many cyclists. To protect your bike in the best possible way, choosing the right lock is crucial. Experts recommend not saving money in the wrong place and investing in a high-quality lock.

According to Janna Poll, insurance expert at Ergo, you should budget around ten per cent of the purchase price of your bike for a lock. Chain locks, folding locks and U-locks offer the greatest protection. These types of locks are much more difficult to pick than cheap models, which experienced criminals can often open in a matter of seconds.

>> 16 bike locks in the test + overview of bike insurances

In addition to classic mechanical locks, there are now also innovative security systems. Smart locks, for example, can only be opened using a smartphone app. The advantage: without a keyhole, thieves have no way of manipulating the locking mechanism with special tools.

Another variant is Alarm locks. These emit a loud warning sound as soon as someone tries to force them open. For particularly expensive bicycles or e-bikes, Poll recommends an additional lock of a different design. The reason: bicycle thieves often specialise in a certain type of lock.

Key-free: the Abus Yardo bike lock with fingerprint.

The Abus Yardo costs 107.95 euros and is e.g. available here.

Correct securing and storage location

However, a high-quality lock alone is not enough. How you lock your bike is also crucial. Although many cyclists secure their bike with a sturdy lock, they don't lock it to a fixed object. "This makes it easy for thieves to carry the bike and lock away or load it into a van," warns Poll.

You should therefore always secure your bike to a bike stand, lamp post or other firmly anchored object. Parts that are easy to remove, such as the front wheel or panniers, should also always be secured.

There are also a few things to bear in mind when choosing where to park your bike. The expert advises you to only park your bike in busy places and to change the parking location regularly. If you lock your bike in the same place for several hours at the same time every day, for example at a train station, you are inadvertently providing criminals with valuable information about a favourable opportunity.

Bike gone - stolen! Procedure in the event of theft

A so-called bike passport is particularly useful for high-priced bikes and can be helpful in the event of theft. This is available free of charge from the police or insurance companies and contains a photo, the frame number and other features of your bike.

Although the bike pass does not provide direct protection against theft, it can help the police to find stolen bikes and assign them to their rightful owner. The same applies to GPS tracker hidden in the frame.

If a bike is stolen despite all precautions, you need to act quickly. You should report it to the police within 48 hours. In many places, this is now also possible online.

The more information you can provide about the bike and the offence itself, the greater the chances of the police finding your vehicle. The next step is to inform the insurance company. Most providers will pay out if the bike has been missing for three weeks.

It may also be useful to enquire at your local lost property office to see if your bike has been handed in there. You can also register the stolen bike on special online platforms. However, the chances of success here are rather low. This makes it all the more important to take preventative measures from the outset and make it as difficult as possible for thieves.

Insurance cover for bicycles

Many cyclists do not realise that bicycles are insured against burglary under household contents insurance. Burglary occurs when criminals break into a locked room and steal the bicycle. An additional module in the household contents insurance provides cover against theft in the open or from unlocked communal areas.

It is important to note the insurer's special requirements for securing the bike. Some policies also include a so-called night clause. In this case, theft is only covered during the day between 6 am and 10 pm.

>> What bicycle insurance is there - and which one do you need?

The household contents insurance usually reimburses the replacement value of the bicycle, i.e. the amount that an equivalent model costs. However, the prerequisite is that the sum insured is high enough. Expensive e-bikes in particular can quickly lead to underinsurance. Poll therefore recommends asking the insurer and adjusting the sum insured if necessary.

As an alternative to household contents insurance, independent bicycle insurance can also be worthwhile. This not only covers theft, but also repair costs after an accident, for example - similar to fully comprehensive car insurance. This type of special insurance can be particularly useful for high-quality bicycles or e-bikes, as it often offers more comprehensive cover.

Checklist against bike theft: 7 tips for maximum security

1. Recommended lock types: Chain, folding and U-locks
2. Recommended price for lock: approx. 10 per cent of the bike price
3. Innovative security systems: Smart locks (app-controlled), alarm locks
4. Notification period for theft: within 48 hours
5. Insurance cover: Household contents insurance (against burglary), additional module for outdoor theft
6. Night clause: Insurance cover only during the day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (for some policies)
7. Alternative: Independent bicycle insurance (incl. repair costs after an accident)