1,100 bikes stolen every day:
1,100 bikes stolen every day:
A study into bike theft in the UK has revealed that a staggering 1,100 bikes are stolen every day, and yet, theft is rarely a barrier discussed by policymakers looking to increase cycling participation.
Each year, 80,000 stolen bikes go unclaimed for, presumably with owners either shelling out for a new model, or giving up on their cycling altogether, an unfortunate fate given that a fifth of owners listed their bicycle and kit as their ‘most important possession’.
Whilst the survey, commissioned by Direct Line, showed that 16% of its participants spent a “whopping £500 on their bike and accessories”, a 2021 study across Cycling Weekly’s publisher’s readers put the average spend figure at £2,685 (Future Publishing BikeTrack Survey, 2021).
For enthusiasts - the people for whom cycling is already a regular pastime, and who are therefore less likely to be put off by road traffic - the loss of a bike is likely an even more substantial financial outlay, arguably making bike theft a key detractor.
Whilst the UK government has said it’s seeking a ‘golden age’ for cycling, with measures such as greater priority for cyclists within the Highway Code and £250 million to be used by councils to build “protected space for cycling”, bike theft is still a major barrier preventing cyclists from using their bikes as transport.
The European Commission has also said it’s prioritising walking and cycling in its latest policy, but again, the focus remains on the likes of “allocation of space, safety regulations, and adequate infrastructure.” The latter typically refers to bike lanes. Whilst all extremely welcome - especially with close passes and sharing space with lorries being number one detractors - fear of theft seems to be an obvious unturned stone in the effort to increase the popularity of cycling as a way to get from A to B.
Statistics from the UKshow that whilst 19% and 20% of victims report the loss of a bicycle to the police, only 5% of those stolen are returned each year. Instead, victims, and indeed cycling security brands are putting in the effort to seek solutions.
One owner lucky (or, resourceful) enough to have his stolen bikes returned in November last year was David Wilkins, who used an AirTag GPS tracker to help police retrieve three stolen bikes, the highest in value a £10,000 Specialized.