Report the theft of your bike
Don't let a thief sell your bike
Bike theft, an urban scourge!
Don't let a thief sell your bike! Bike thefts are on the rise all over Europe, especially in France and Switzerland. One out of two cyclists has already been the victim of a theft, and a very small proportion of them have been able to find their bike. What are the statistics of this scourge and how to prevent it? We tell you everything!
1 – Some figures on bicycle theft in France and Switzerland
Global statistics
In France, between 1000 and 2000 bicycles are stolen every day, i.e. approximately 400 flights per year. In Switzerland, we compte 80 bicycle thefts per year. One out of two cyclists has already been the victim of bicycle theft.
80% of bicycles are stolen during the week, and 60% in broad daylight. These offenses concern both parking in private places, in closed premises for example, and in public places, in particular on sidewalks.
Risk factors
86% of thefts concern bicycles with weak security : small locks, twisted cables or chains. Stronger padlocks, such as U-locks, are much less likely to be vandalized.
There is more risk of having your bike stolen in spring or summer, if it is a city model and if he is nine or still in very good condition.
2 – How to best secure your bike?
The quality of the lock and the place where you park your bike play an important role since, if chosen correctly, they can deter thieves from taking an interest in your bicycle. To limit the risk of theft, it is therefore necessary to adopt some good habits.
Anti-theft
The first is to choose a suitable and secure padlock. 95% of cyclists use poor quality padlocks. However, there are effective systems. The U-lock is, for example, a widespread and reliable model. However, it is an investment, but it quickly pays for itself if you consider that it greatly reduces the risk of your bike being stolen.
See to always attach your bike, even if you leave it for only a few minutes. Also be sure to padlock it properly. Above all, do not put the lock only on your front or rear wheel: you risk finding only the wheel, without the rest of the bicycle. It's necessary attach a wheel and the frame of the bicycle, and secure everything to a fixed point. You can protect your second wheel with a second U-lock or with a less secure padlock.
.The location
30% of cyclists do not attach their bike to a fixed point. This is a high-risk habit, but fortunately easy to change. Always lock your bike to a fixed point: fence, post, tie arch, tree, etc. Otherwise, anyone can board your bike and take the time to cut the lock once in a safe place, it doesn't matter if it's the ultimate lock.
Make sure you park your bike as much as possible in places of passage. Good attendance is a great way to deter the thief. It is therefore necessary to avoid alleys, deserted car parks, even covered garages: closed premises do not discourage thieves.
3 – What to do if your bike is stolen?
The first step is to complaint. Many victims do not bother to report the theft of their bike, because they believe it impossible to find it.
Some cyclists nevertheless recover their bicycles thanks to the efforts of the police. Filing a complaint is also necessary if you want to open a file to get compensate by your insurance.
In Swiss, household insurance normally covers the theft of your bicycle, except for electric bicycles that can reach more than 45 km/h. In France, you have to turn to home insurance, which can compensate you under certain conditions, or towards specific bicycle insurance.
On vente-son-velo.com, you have the possibility of report the theft of your bike. The platform and its Internet users are thus informed and will be able to notify you if they discover advertisements, on our site or elsewhere, offering a bicycle similar to yours.
