There are few cyclists who have never had their bike stolen. According to a study revealed last year by several structures, including the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), between 350,000 and 580,000 bicycles disappear each year in France. According to the survey, it would even be a major obstacle to the development of this soft mobility. Some victims, dismayed after one or more thefts of their bicycle, sometimes even decide, reluctantly, to let go of the pedal.
On the occasion of All on bikesSunday, in Montpellier (Hérault), an event designed to promote the practice, 20 minutes asked cyclists for their tips on how to avoid getting their nails bitten. And for many of them, there is no secret: you have to invest in good anti-theft equipment. Jean advocates “a double anti-theft device” and even “an audible alarm” to keep bandits away. And above all, wear an anti-theft device even when you’re away for a quick errand, “to the bakery”, for example, notes an Internet user. A “GPS tracker” even offers another.
Removing the battery from electric bikes, “it becomes less profitable to steal”
Matthieu even recommends a “motorcycle lock”, a little more solid than the locks recommended for bicycles. And he strongly advises opting for bike marking, by affixing it to the frame an identification number allowing its legitimate owner to be found. Another Internet user took the initiative to prevent his saddle from being stolen. Because yes, it happened to him that only his saddle was stolen. “Too easy to remove,” he sighs. “So, I put glue in the screw hole, to prevent another theft! » Another reader invites owners of electric bikes to remove the battery from their bike. “It becomes much less profitable to steal,” he assures, specifying that the thief will have to buy a battery for several hundred euros.
As for Clément, he never leaves his bike without a U-shaped lock, stronger than the spiral ones, which are too easy to cut. This cyclist even installed two “anti-theft nuts” to “secure the two-wheelers and the saddle”. “And I park in a place where there are other bikes, because statistically, there will be one with a more tempting lock than mine! I also voluntarily leave the handlebar tape [le ruban placé autour du guidon] dangle, instead of redoing something clean so that the bike looks rotten! »
“To go to work, I take my great-grandmother’s bike!” »
“Ride lousy” is advice that unfortunately comes up often among cyclists. To avoid tempting thieves, these clever people ride on the handlebars… of a “red”. “I ride with my old bike from 1990, it’s light and it’s great,” says Dominique. Over time, the headlights and the dynamo have been stolen, and the saddle has become damaged, but I don’t care because that way, no one seems to care. » Dominique, however, never lets his antique sleep at night in the street, and brings it into his bicycle storage room, tying it up firmly. Christine confides that unfortunately she never found the bicycles that were stolen from her. So today, she has “an unstoppable method” to stop having her bike stolen: “make it as less desirable as possible”. She therefore rides with “a good old second-hand bike, solid, which really doesn’t look like much, and attached with a U. There will always be a more attractive bike to steal nearby…” she says. Another reader has the same tip. “To avoid having my super bike stolen, I leave it at home, and to go to work, I take the bicycle that belonged… to my great-grandmother! »
For others, there is an absolutely unstoppable way to ensure that a bike never disappears: never take your eyes off it! “My bike never stays outside, and it hangs on the wall at home,” explains Fabien. And I bring it back to my workplace. » Aurélien opted for a folding bike. “And I decided not to buy an anti-theft device, in order to force myself to keep it safe,” he says. At work, I store it under my desk. It also finds its place in a corner, under a table, in bars and restaurants, or in a cloakroom, among friendly merchants. It’s more complicated in theater and cinema. So, I take public transportation. »
Insurance to transform theft into a simple “nuisance”
Another reader strongly advises taking out insurance covering bicycle theft. “My partner had the battery of her electric bike stolen, the only time she forgot to take it, in fact,” he says. The balance, between the new battery and the repairs: 900 euros. The balance sheet with insurance: 80 euros. » For him, insurance has the advantage of transforming a disaster into a simple “nuisance”.
Some cyclists, finally, have the soul of a detective. They do not hesitate, when they are faced with the theft of their bicycle, to carry out their little investigation, to try to find it. “My husband had his bike stolen at a stadium, and luckily for us, our neighbor had seen the thieves and told us that they were boarders at a college. We went there. And I was able to get my hands back on the bike! » Moreover, in several cities in France, and particularly in Montpellier, where bicycle theft is a national sport, Facebook groups exist to try to help cyclists find their bicycles. Members report, in particular, bikes that have been broken down or abandoned in the streets or point out somewhat shady sales on the Internet or in local markets.
Velocity organizes “Everyone by bike”, Sunday, in Montpellier, a big bicycle parade. Meet at 3 p.m. at Place du Millénaire, in the Antigone district.