by Daniela Forresu
Bikes left on the road, Photo credit: Daniela Forresu
Bike theft in London is becoming more and more common, proving to be more than just a nuisance.
Recent London statistics show that 16,200 bikes are reported stolen every year in London, making the capital number one out of nine regions for the highest crime rate ranking of bicycle theft crime.
Despite the use of heavy-duty chains to secure their bikes, Andrea Cappai, 42, from Camden Town and Vincent Blawv, 31, from Canning Town East London, have been victims of bike theft multiple times over the past few months, leaving them frustrated and financially strained.
Another bike left on the road. Credit: Daniela Forresu
For Cappai and Blawv, cycling is their primary mode of transport, and an important part of their busy lives.
‘’The bike, for me, is the most reliable way to get to work on time, and also a good way to save money in daily transport. I’ve tried everything to protect my bike, but they already stole mine three times,’’ said Cappai, whose a chef in a restaurant near Wood Green.
This incident not only disrupted his daily routine and forced him to seek alternative transport, but this situation also added an unexpected cost to his budget, he said.
In east London, Blawv experienced a similar situation, where his bike has been stolen multiple times not only outside his house but also outside his workplace near Waterloo, where he works in a restaurant as a kitchen manager.
‘’Every time I lock my bike, I expect to be safe, but this didn’t happen; I don’t feel my bike safe anywhere anymore, and this situation is frustrating,’’ said Blawv.
These two situations highlight a broader problem that is affecting many people at the moment, not only in London but in all UK. Statistics show that, on average, 77,313 bicycles are stolen in the UK every year, with a record in 2022/2023 of 77,148 bike thefts reported to England and Wales.
That means a bike is reported as being stolen every seven minutes.
Both cyclists have tried different strategies to protect their bikes from theft. But despite their efforts to invest in high-quality, heavy-duty chains or parking in different locations, their bikes continue to be easy targets.
Cappai also asked local shop owners in the area where he lives if they had noticed anyone taking his bike. ‘’No one seems to know anything. I also contacted the local police to report the bikes stolen, but apparently, there is no CCTV nearby either,’’ he said.
Can more bike storage be one helpful solution? Credit: Daniela Forresu
Additional security advice
What are local police doing to protect cyclists? According to the Metropolitan Police, cyclists should consider the use of double locks, park in areas covered by CCTV, and take removable parts with them.
They also advise recording the bike’s serial number by registering it with recognised schemes like the national bike registration database, where if a bike is ever stolen it can be easily recovered by the police and can be traced back to the owner.
Remnants of a stolen bike. Credit: Natefarr, pixabay
In response to these recurring incidents, the London Cycling Campaign advised investing in robust U-locks, ideally supported with a cable lock to secure both the frames and wheels.
The owner of London Bike Kitchen shares his views on what the government and private companies can do to protect cyclists from theft. ‘’The government and police can take bike theft more seriously. I think they’re doing better with the bike marking, but is not enough. If penalties were harsher that could put thieves off, ” he told Stolen Ride.
For those concerned about the ongoing risk of bike theft, renting a bike is an excellent alternative that is both practical and affordable. London’s bike rental service, promoted on an app called App-Bike, offers a cost-effective solution.
By choosing to rent, individuals can enjoy the benefits of cycling without the worry of theft, all while potentially saving money.
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