Bike locks have security ratings letting you know how easy or not they are to break or pick open. When you use your bike in high risk areas or own an expensive bike you need to use a bike lock that will serve you well and give your bike the protection it needs. Read on to discover what the ratings systems tell you about a bike lock.
Use a Bike Lock
The first decision you must make is that you are going to use a bike lock. Any type of bike lock is better than nothing at all… learn how to get the most out of your bike lock by using it in the best way possible – How to Use a Bike Lock. You also need to commit to taking your bike lock with you when you go riding or having it set up at your destination. So what will be the easiest way for you to do this? Store it in a convenient place so it’s quick to find and think through how you want to carry a lock – on your bike, in a bag?
Rating Systems for Bike Locks
Independent Scales – Companies that have had their locks independently tested will have the ratings they received on their packaging. What do they do in this test? Well they rate a lock according to what type of attack it can endure and how long it can withstand this attack.
The two testing scales you should be aware of are ART from the Netherlands and Sold Secure from the UK. Sold Secure use a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond scale of toughness. The ART scale is a 5-star rating system, with 5 stars being the best and it is a bit harder to do well on on this scale. Any locks with 2 stars and above will be “good” locks in moderate threat circumstances. On the Sold Secure scale look for Silver and above for the equivalent protection.
In house scale – most brands will have a way for you to work out which locks are their stronger ones, better suited to high risk environments. Whether they use a score out of 10 or stars, the difficulty is not knowing how their scale compares to others.
Choosing a bike lock according to a rating system all depends on your level of threat – how much protection do you need? Take into account things like environment (CBD, suburbs, rural) and time away from the bike (minutes, hours, all day, overnight). How attractive your bike is to a thief? Is it expensive or in demand (E-Bikes are often targets for thieves). Learn more What level of security do I need?
To get rewarded with a star or medal on the independent rating scales mentioned above (ART, Sold Secure) means the lock will be suitable for use in moderate & above threat environments where your bike thieves carry tools with the intent to steal bikes.
Look for this image on packaging to check the rating of the lock
Diamond is the highest rating and hard to achieve. These locks will be more expensive but very hard for thieves to break or cut.
This is an anchor for home or at work use, it becomes your fixed object to attach your lock to.
Final pointers…
- You need to determine what your greatest needs are or the most frequently occurring way you would need to use a bike lock. Perhaps more than one type of lock would be the answer or more than one lock. Please read The Best Way to Lock a Bike
- 50% of bike theft is from the home (USA figures). Store your bike in a lockable shed or garage and consider using your bike lock as you would away from your house. Floor anchors with chain locks are a good option if you live in a high crime rate area.
- Lock your bike to something that is impossible to move/lift/carry/cut, not a wire fence.
- Avoid dark, quiet places think traffic and good lighting so others can see what is going on.
- If you have the choice, lock your bike in the middle of a bunch of bikes – try to avoid the end.
- Remember your bike bits… helmets, lights, tool bags, water bottles. If it’s not locked down it could be stolen.
- Unfortunately… quick release wheels & seat posts fit this category as well. In a high crime area these need to be locked down too or taken with you.
- The better looking your bike, the more expensive your bike, the more unique your bike is… the more likely it will be a target so protect it accordingly.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Bike Lock Buying Guide
What is the best bike lock solution for you? There are many factors to consider in your decision. Use our Buying Guide to get the right solution.
The Best way to Lock a Bike
Learn the best way to lock your bike so you get the best security from your lock
Bike Locks for Family/ Group Riding
How to lock a group of bikes … how to keep them safe
Ride More Places
Read stories about NZ trails, tracks and parks. find out what other families and riders are doing. Be inspired! Is this ride an option for you or your family?
Types of Bike Locks
There are a range of choices in the bike lock market. Do you understand what you are buying, is it the best choice for you?
Security Ratings for Bike Locks
Learn about the ratings of bike locks and match the level of lock you need to where you leave your bike and the value of the bike
Bike Gear Stories
A collection of stories that will help you learn about bike gear. goRide supports you to get the right bike gear so you can smile when you ride.
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride
If you register your bike with 529 Garage – there is an app and a web site – then several things will happen.
1. your bike is less likely to be stolen – more on this in a mo.
2. If your bike is stolen, it is more likely to be recovered.
When registering, you provide vital information – photos, bike serial number, owner details.
You get a permanent sticker to stick on your bike in a prominent place – so the thief can see and not steal your bike.
Your bike and owner details are available to police when they find your bike.
Your bike and owner details are available to prospective purchasers so they know your bike in the correct hands.
If your bike is stolen – less likely now you have a sticker, other 529ers in your area will be alerted and will keep an eye out for it.
They will also watch market places – FB , Trademe – to see if your bike is being offered for sale.
ALL bikes are stolen to be sold.
If your bike is stolen, you can tell everyone – police, 529ers, potential purchases – simply by flipping a switch next to your details.
529 has been in operation for about 5 years and has had a dramatic 46% reduction in its house city of Vancouver.
529 is very much aliive and well in NZ and is supported by NZ Police and Bike Groups and Bike Shops. Ask around about it.
If other bikes in your area are stolen