News / Crime
Bristol has largest proportion of cyclists in UK experiencing bike theft
Eighty-two per cent of cyclists in Bristol have been impacted by bike theft.
That makes our city the worst in the UK for this particular statistic, with more cyclists experiencing bike theft in Bristol than anywhere else.
New research shows that the total cost of bike theft across the UK equates to £2.4bn with 70 per cent of cyclists having experienced bike theft at least once.
is needed now More than ever
Research by Novuna Personal Finance on the bike theft “epidemic” sees Bristol followed by Newcastle (76 per cent) and Edinburgh (74 per cent), with Liverpool and London both having 73 per cent of cyclists falling victim to bike theft in each city.
The study shows that while 51 per cent of bikes stolen were stored in public places, 30 per cent of bikes stolen were stored in owners’ homes.
Novuna Personal Finance marketing director, Theresa Lindsay, said: “With such a high number of cyclists counting the cost of theft as our research shows, it’s clear that bike security needs to be taken up another gear.
“A quality lock is essential – even for short stops – and securing bikes properly can help deter thieves.
“It’s concerning to see so many cyclists reducing or stopping riding altogether due to theft.
“For many, a bike is one of the most valuable items they own, especially if they own an e-bike, and ensuring proper protection to keep bikes as safe and secure as possible is crucial.”
Avon & Somerset Police have a dedicated page that lays out measures that owners can take to protect their bikes from theft.
Some suggested measures include investing in a good lock, locking your bike only to an official stand that is firmly secured in the ground and electronically tagging your bike.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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