Cycling in Midlothian

Bike security tips

Following several bike thefts in Midlothian it is important to keep your bicycle secure.

Register your bike

Register your bike on a national property database, such as Immobilise or Bike Register. If your bike is stolen the police will then have a better chance of recovering it.

Record details of your bike

Photograph your bike, record the frame number, and write down a description of it so you can accurately describe it if stolen.

Use a lock

Invest in a good quality lock.

Insure your bike

Take out insurance either by extending your home contents insurance or via a separate policy. Most bike shops and cycling organisations such as the Cycling Touring Club  offer specialist insurance products.

Mark or tag your bike

A number of marking and tagging systems are available to help safeguard your bike. Ensure the mark / tag is clearly visible on the bike's frame, so potential thieves will see it and that it is securely attached. Use a tamper-proof label or an inaccessible electronic device. It is also advised to mark / tag in another location that is not clearly visible.

At home

More than half of bikes are stolen from an owner's property. Reduce the likelihood of this happening by:

• Storing your bike in a lockable shed or garage.
• Keeping it out of public view
• Securing it to an immovable object
• If there is not an immovable object available ensure the bike is locked with preferably the frame locked to the wheel(s) to avoid the thief cycling off on your bike

Out and about

Always lock up your bike even when leaving it for a couple of minutes.

Lock your bike to an immovable object, to a designated bike rack, or robust street furniture such as a lamp post or railings. Thieves have been known to remove street signs and other less robust items of street furniture to get their hands on the prize - your bike!

• Please remember to park it safely and considerately without causing a hazard or obstruction for pedestrians, particularly the visually impaired, wheelchairs users, and people with other mobility issues.
• Lock your bike through the frame & both wheels.
• Remove detachable parts that can be removed without tools such as pumps, lights, panniers, quick release saddles, and bike computers.
• Avoid parking your bike in isolated or dimly lit areas.
• Do not leave an expensive bike in the same place on a regular basis.
• Make the lock and bike hard to move when parked. Try to keep the lock away from the ground / pavement to stop thieves from smashing the lock with a hammer.