Bikmo: 3 Tips for locking your bike
1. Use a Sold Secure Rated lock
At Bikmo, we always recommend locks that are accredited as Sold Secure. Sold Secure is the premier testing and certification house for security products.
As such, we use their ratings system as a minimum requirement for a lock used to secure a cycle “away from home”.
Which Sold Secure rating lock do I need?
With our policies, it’s dependent on the ‘as new’ replacement value of the bike as to which lock rating you’ll need:
Bike value up to €250 – Bronze Rating
Bike value €251- £1500 – Silver Rating
Bike value over €1500 – Gold Rating
The rating is based on the amount of time and the tools required to try to break the lock, so it’s always worth buying the highest rating. The higher the rating, the longer it took to break into. Recently, Diamond level locks have been introduced. Locks rated this level of security are tested against an angle grinder and even more secure than Gold.
2. What type of lock to use
Overall, it doesn’t matter what brand or type of lock you choose, as long as it has the correct Sold Secure rating for your bike’s value. Also, as we mention later, it’s crucial that your bike is locked correctly.
That said, “D locks” (D shaped when locked) often come out on top due to their strength, reliability and weight. D locks can fit easily into a backpack or clip onto the bike for commuting.
3. How to lock it correctly
Always lock your bike to a solid and immovable object – think lamp posts, secure railings and of course bike hangers.
Lock your bike through its frame – never lock your bike by the wheel! Most bikes these days have quick release wheels, so always lock your bike through its frame.
Bike lock position – make sure you position the lock where it’s impossible for a thief to use leverage or force against another surface to smash / strike a lock open. Consider running an additional cable lock through the saddle rails to prevent saddle and wheel theft.
Check out our handy locking requirements video below, and our full locking requirements here.
Why should I consider dedicated bicycle insurance?
Many home insurance policies will not cover theft away from home, and there’s often a very low maximum bike value limit in the small print on your policy (check yours!)
Bikmo’s Triathlon Ireland cycle insurance can cover against:
- Theft and accidental damage of your bike(s)
- Event cover including Triathlons
- Kit and accessories, including Tri Suits and GPS devices
Plus, Triathlon Ireland members benefit from a 7.5%* discount on full policies and save 50%* when insuring additional bikes in your household, with the lowest value benefitting from the discount.
*Minimum premium €5/mo and policy wording applies. This promotion is provided by Bikmo GmbH is authorised/licensed by the Industrie- und Handelskammer München in Germany and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.
