Important tips from the police to prevent your bike from falling into the wrong hands:
- Use sturdy bike locks. Sturdy chain, U-locks or folding locks offer the best protection against theft. Thin chain, U-locks or cable locks, on the other hand, can be easily "cracked" with tools. Spoke locks are also not sufficient protection against theft. Pay attention to quality when buying: choose a certified lock with a solid locking system made of high-quality material, for example hardened special steel. Expect to pay around five to ten percent of the bike price for the purchase of a good bike lock. The following applies: the lighter and more expensive the bike, the heavier and more expensive the lock should be.
- Don't just lock bicycles, but always lock them to a fixed bicycle stand or another firmly anchored object. Even if you are only away for a short time. Otherwise thieves can easily carry or load your bike away.
- Secure the front and rear wheels by attaching them to a fixed object together with the frame, for example.
- Avoid dark corners, secluded places or streets with poor visibility. Publicity can also protect against thieves.
- For electric bikes: Secure the battery and display or ideally take them with you.
- Write down the frame number. Many dealers issue a bike passport with the individual frame number when you buy your bike. Ask for it. Smartphone users can also access all important bike data using the free FAHRRADPASS app from the police for iPhones and Android phones.
- If a bike is stolen, the police need all available license plates in order to identify the recovered bike beyond doubt. This includes, for example, the individual frame number as well as the brand and type. A photo of the bike is also helpful. On many bicycles sold in Germany, the individual frame number is engraved, stamped or otherwise firmly attached to the frame. It can usually be found near the bottom bracket, saddle or headset.
- Have the bike coded. Coding involves permanently attaching a specific code to the bike using an engraving machine or a special sticker. This code contains the owner's encrypted home address. Police stations and lost property offices can thus quickly identify the owner of the bike found. The code can also act as a deterrent to thieves: This is because the code can be used to quickly determine whether a cyclist is actually the rightful owner of a bike. Coding also makes it unattractive to pass on and sell stolen bikes, as the code is very difficult to remove.
What to do after a bike theft?
If your bike has been stolen, report the theft to the police immediately. With the information from the bike passport, such as the frame number, they can immediately start an investigation and check whether your bike is among the bikes found.
You should also report the theft to your insurance company. You will need the police report as proof of the theft. You must also present the proof of purchase to prove that you are the owner of the stolen bike. A bicycle passport with the frame number, details of the model etc. can also be important in this case, together with the proof of purchase and a photo for insurance purposes. However, it is not sufficient as proof of ownership.
More tips can be found in the flyer available for download on this page.