Bike security – how can I secure my bike at home, work or out and about?

Scouting out the local landmarks or travelling to somewhere you’ve never been before, your bicycle allows you to explore the hidden gems of nearby towns and cities, making a day, weekend or week-long trip an exciting experience for all.

And whilst, as a cyclist, you’ll be used to maintaining your bicycles gears, brake pads and wheels, you may not have considered how you may need to protect your pride of joy from another type of threat – a burglar.

Being an expensive item, and making a handy mode of transport for any opportunistic thief, bicycles make easy pickings for criminals who want to sell on their wares quickly and without a trace. And for maximum profit.

So, with all this in mind, how can you protect your bike at home, when you’re at work or when you’re out and about on a cycling trip this summer? Well, the security experts at Yale are here to help.

From bike locks, padlocks and a range of bike accessories, read our latest blog for all the top tips and products to improve your bike security this summer and beyond.

How to secure your bike at home

If you have the privilege of owning a garage or shed, you’re already in a fortunate position to ensure your precious bicycle is secured at home.

If you keep your bicycle in an outbuilding, a great start would be investing in a secure padlock for your garden shed to ensure your bike security is up to date this summer.

The first line of defence for your outbuilding, a weatherproof padlock will be able to not only protect itself from the elements, but also offer protection from attacks such as cutting of the shackle with its hardened steel design.

Once you’ve secured this entry point to the shed, it’s also worth securely locking down your bicycle with a bike lock. The best bike lock for expensive biking equipment is an ultra-heavy-duty design from a trusted brand. 

Security experts would often recommend a maximum-security chain and padlock design to secure bicycles in a shed, combined with wall or ground anchors to keep your pride and joy securely in place.

For an added level of protection, investing in a smart security system will allow homeowners to monitor their garden and outbuildings via their phone from anywhere in the world. 

With this type of technology, homeowners can check in when they’re out and monitor any suspicious activity via a smartphone to watch over their bicycle at any time or place. 

What’s more, this not only offers protection for your shed and bicycle, but also your home too. 

Smart home alarms with an expanded range can detect movement from metres away, ensuring you’re the first to know about any suspicious activity happening around your property.

‘Get to work’ with your bike security

When you’re rushing to get into the office on time, the last thing you want to be thinking about is how you’re going to secure your bike when you get there.

When deciding on bike accessories to secure your bicycle at work, it’s important to ‘weigh’ up the options. A maximum-security bike lock is an essential piece of kit, but as you’ll be cycling to work, the best bike lock option for you will need to be a lightweight style designed for travel.

A U-Lock is the perfect addition to your bike accessories kit, as this design is often lighter and easier to carry than a heavy chain and padlock style that you’d use to secure your bicycle at home.

And what’s great about a U-Lock is that it’s lightweight design still offers a high level of protection against a range of burglar attack methods including pick, pull, bump and drill.

Our experts would recommend selecting a U-Lock that is constructed using an ultra-hardened steel design to maintain that extra level of protection whilst not adding any further weight to your work backpack.

Bike accessories for when you’re out and about

Looking forward to summer days of cycling, taking in the sights of your local towns and cities? Well, it’s essential that when you head out for a long road ride or bike trip with the family, you remember to pull up and rest for a while, particularly in the hot summer sunshine.

But, when you decide to take a break, it’s essential that you consider where you’ll be leaving your bike, as any opportunists may see your expensive piece of kit as easy pickings, even in broad daylight.

Whether you decide to stop in a busy town full of hustle and bustle or take a break in a quiet hamlet further out of the city, it’s important to invest in a secure cable lock.

One of our expert’s must-have bike accessories, a cable lock is a great solution for those ‘on-the-go’ cyclists. 

For those wanting an easy, lightweight and secure bike lock that is perfect to carry around on long journeys or days, a cable lock offers all the protection you’d need to upgrade your bike security this summer.

With protection from a range of pick and pull attacks, a cable lock design will often involve a protective vinyl coverage, which, unlike other metal alternatives, also provides protection against scratches and scuffs. An important consideration when securing your expensive cycling equipment.

When paired with a maximum-security padlock, bike lock or ground anchor, depending on the bike’s location, cyclists can ensure their pride and joy is protected in any setting, allowing you to enjoy a bike ride wherever you are.

 For more product information please visit yalehome.com