With around 376,000 bikes stolen in the UK each year — roughly one every 90 seconds — a decent lock and a bit of routine make all the difference. Bikes go missing from gardens, sheds, racks and the high street, and Hampshire sees its share, so it's worth getting your setup right.
The three things that stop a theft
- Where you keep it — a locked shed or garage beats a garden every time. Fit a decent hasp and a quality padlock, and lock the bike inside too.
- The lock itself — a sturdy D-lock or hardened chain resists bolt croppers far better than a thin cable. If you leave the bike out a lot, spend more on the lock.
- How it's secured — always lock the frame (and ideally a wheel) to something fixed, so it can't simply be lifted and carried off.
Out and about
On the high street, lock up somewhere busy and visible — thieves prefer a quiet corner. If you live in a flat with a communal bike store, use it, and add your own good padlock rather than relying on the shared one.
Make it yours
Marking your bike makes it harder to sell on and easier to get back if it's recovered. We can help with spare keys for your locks and padlocks in-store, engrave your frame or valuables, and advise on the right padlocks for a shed or gate. Pop into our Hedge End or Park Gate shop and we'll point you in the right direction.