• A smaller U-Lock may be more secure as its shackle will be filled so will more difficult for thieves to force it open with a jack. A heavy lock is generally better as it will be harder to cut through. Click here or here for reviews. If you aren't sitting on the saddle, then lock your bike with a good quality U-lock, the best you can afford:
• Abus Granit-54 X-Plus – £50-100 (depending on size).
• Kryptonite New York 3000 – £55
• Litelock - £149
• Make sure the street furniture that you're locking it to is really immobile. Don't lock your bike to a gate, if the whole gate can be lifted off it's hinges. Even tall poles are also poor fixing points, as bikes can be lifted over the top of them.
• Try and lock your bike somewhere covered by CCTV. Always choose a place that is well lit.
• Keep a heavy lock at work and at home, and a lighter lock for your daily commute, allowing for quick stops en route.
• Position your lock with the keyhole facing downwards
• Park at the secure Media City, Salford or City Tower, Manchester Cycle Hubs.
• Don’t park in the same place every day. If bike thieves are stealing to order, they are more likely to target you if they know where you will be.
• Ensure your lock does not touch the ground, otherwise it is easy for a thief to sledgehammer it off.
• Remove the manufacturers' stickers from the frame and forks and paint them (badly) - it isn't pretty, but it should deter thieves.
• Fit a GPS Tracker
• Fit a Bike alarm from Amazon or Winxwheels.
• Make your social media is private to your friends, if you feature your bicycle. Don't publish pictures of your nice new bike online.

Alternative Bikes

• If you are buying a new bike and haven't got a secure place to lock it, then consider getting a folding bike. You will be able to take it with you almost anywhere – if you ride with a bike bag. You can usually keep it under your bed/desk/restaurant table. Bromptons are fast-folding, small and well made but not cheap. Click here for reviews of a range of folders.

Parts and Accessories

• If you have quick release levers on your wheels and saddle, then consider replacing these with allen key skewers (or better still, lockable security skewers).
• Use a cable to secure the wheels and also use the your main lock through the frame and that cable to something immobile.
• When the bike is parked, remove lights, pump, saddle, water bottles & electronic devices and take them with you.
• While cycling, a small carabina will ensure that your paniers stay attached to your bike (you can get these from a climbing/outdoor pursuits shop)
• E-bike riders should consider taking their batteries with them when away from their bikes. They are heavy but also a significant part of the cost of an e-bike.

Premises (when your bikes are in your garage/shed)

• Alarm or brick-up any windows in your shed.
• Fix a shed alarm (motion-sensor) inside
• Set up a Solar PIR (motion sensing) light outside
• Install a cctv camera
• Make sure the door has a lock and/or padlocked bolts and can not be pulled open - it must be anchored to the floor with an inside bolt. Alarmed Padlocks are best
• Make sure the door hinges have security bolts, not screws that can be undone from the outside
• Consider fitting wall anchor or ground anchor to lock your bike to - and always keep it locked up, even when it's in a locked garage.
• If you do publish your route on Strava etc., don't start it from/finish it at your garage!
• Click here for shed suppliers.

In case your bike does get stolen...

• As soon as you buy it:
• Record the bike's frame number and keep a photo and full description somewhere safe as soon as you buy it
• Get the frame stamped with your post code at a bike shop, police station, public police bike marking event or with a Bike Register marking kit
• Drop a card with "Stolen from..." in your seat tube
• Register your bike with Immobilise
• The cheapest way to insure your bike(s) may be through your home contents insurance. Click here for links to specialist bicycle insurance companies.
• If it does get stolen:
• Register it here : UK Stolen MTBs, Report my Loss, Stolen bikes, Bike Index, Bike Register, Manchester Bike theft to help the police return it to you if it's found
• Dial the police on 101 or visit the local police station. Get a crime number - for your insurance claim
• Check local bike shops, Ebay, Find that Bike and Gumtree to see if it is being sold. If you see it, get advice from the police about what to do.

Bike theft does not matter!

• If you buy a good basic road bike new (£300+bits) for daily commuting, you can recoup public transport costs that you would have spent in about 6 months (a local bus travel pass). This means that if you keep a bike for longer, you make money!

Stolen bikes

• Don't buy a bike that you think might have been stolen. If people didn't buy stolen bikes, criminals wouldn't steal them. Report anyone who you think is trading in stolen bikes here.

For more information:

• Beating the bike thieves (BBC Click)
• Bike Storage Ideas (The Best Bike Lock)
• How to protect your bike from theft (Bikeregister)
• Ultimate Bike Lock Guide (Bikmo)
• Locking your bike (Cycling UK)
• Stop your bike getting stolen (Cycling UK)
• Manchester Bike theft (Facebook)
• Cycle Theft Prevention Tips (GMP)
• Ten tips to deter thieves (The Guardian)
• How not to get your bike stolen (Outside Magazine)
• Bike Security (Security by Design, official police security initiative)
• Bike security advice (Sustrans)
• How to keep your bike safe without a lock (We Love Cycling)

• Links to products on this page are not sponsored, nor do they guarantee quality. They are just suggestions.