Having a bike stolen is an unpleasant experience. It is not just the loss of an object; it can leave you feeling angry, unsettled and a little foolish. Please do not blame yourself. Even careful people lose bikes. What you can do is take the experience calmly and use it to build a few habits that make the next bike harder to steal.
First, take a moment to think about what happened. Where was the bike left, at what time of day, and how was it locked? You are not looking for someone to blame, only for patterns. Was the spot dark and quiet? Was the bike locked only by the wheel? Was it left in the same place for many days? Answers like these show you where you can improve.
Habits that make a difference
Lock the frame and a wheel to something solid, every time, however short the stop. Put the lock high off the ground and tight against the object, so that there is little room to work on it. Choose places where there are plenty of people and good light, and avoid leaving the bike in the same lonely spot for days on end.
At home, keep the bike indoors or in a locked shed whenever you can, and lock it even there. Many bikes disappear from front gardens and hallways that were thought to be safe. Keep the key in a fixed place, and never leave a spare in the basket or the saddlebag. It is a good idea to take your lights and any other loose parts with you.
Keep a note of the details of your bike in a safe place: the colour, any marks or stickers, the frame number and a few photographs from different angles. If a bike is stolen again, this information will be at your fingertips. It is also a good habit to make your bike look individual, with a coloured ribbon or an unusual bell.
When you choose a replacement, take your time. A quick, cheap purchase can leave you with a bike you dislike, or one of doubtful origin. Ask where it came from, and look at it carefully. In time, the new habits become second nature.
