Cycle security in Europe

[Greenman99]

I'm considering taking two mid-quality road bikes with me and my partner with my small car on a 3-month tour of southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy) next year, staying mainly in campsites. My concern is that the bikes could be stolen from the car whilst we are away from it. Is good quality security possible? What could we use? We will not take them if it's unlikely to be secure enough.

 

[LLB]

Lock them in the car and cover them up - out of sight, out of mind

 

[vernon]

I'm considering taking two mid-quality road bikes with me and my partner with my small car on a 3-month tour of southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy) next year, staying mainly in campsites. My concern is that the bikes could be stolen from the car whilst we are away from it. Is good quality security possible? What could we use? We will not take them if it's unlikely to be secure enough.

Locks and the like only dissuade honest people and opportunists. A determined thief will have the bikes come what may.

However you do have to look at the odds of having your bikes stolen i.e. your bikes and some reprobates meeting up in your absence. The odds are quite low and more often than not when I've been on tour, both here in the UK and in France I've used a cable lock to attach my bike, a Dawes Galaxy, to an immovable object, usually a tree. On some occasions, usually when wild camping, I've not bothered locking the bike but there again it wasn't conspicuous.

Something else to consider is using two different types of lock i.e. cable and D-lock as thieves apparently go tooled up for only one type of lock. When locking the bikes try to leave no gaps where a thief can insert a jack to prise aparet the arms of a D lock and make sure that your wheels are locked to the frames.

 

[snorri]

Best leave the car at home, "they" might pinch the car with the bikes in it

Just take the usual precautions, and don't worry. If it really worries you then perhaps you are not the type for cycle touring.

 

[wafflycat]

1. Check your insurance policy. If necessary, phone the company and check with them what is required, making a note of who you've spoken to and when, plus what was said.

Example: when travelling with bikes, on my car insurance, if the bikes are left *inside* the locked car, even covered up, they are not covered by the insurance policy. BUT, if they are locked, with a D-lock on to a pukka bike carrier that itself is locked on to the car, then they are covered by insurance.

I've travelled all over the UK and throughout a large bit of Europe with car and bikes. What I've done is this - have the bike(s) on the tow bar mounted bike carrier. When leaving the car/bikes, even just to stop off for a coffee, if I've left the car/bikes unattended, then each bike has been locked through the frame to the main part of the bike carrier with a D-lock and then cable locks through wheels/bike carrier. I also try to park in such a way as to make removal of bikes more difficult.

Basically - any theft is likely to be opportunistic and I use sufficient locks to deter opportunistic thieves and include a D-lock per bike, so am covered by my insurance, should a bike be taken. Never had a problem so far. That's not to say I never will, but I think I pretty much deter opportunistic thieves as I end up with three locks per bike (1 x D-lock, 2 x cable locks).

I've had many a happy mile of cycling in Europe, so don't let worries about theft get out of hand - just try to take sensible precautions and be covered by insurance.

 

[xilios]

Best leave the car at home, "they" might pinch the car with the bikes in it quote]

X2 LOL

 

[rich p]

I lock mine with a minimal lock when touring to an immovable object if poss but to be honest I have never ever thought there was any likelihood of it being nicked. Campers don't do that sort of thing!

 

[prjw]

lose the paranoia
insure
deal with it if it happens (unlikely)
enjoy
relax

 

[Nigeyy]

Thieves will look at the easiest opportunity for them. Now granted a determined thief is incredibly difficult to stop, so the only thing you can do is make it as inconvenient to them as possible.

Suggestions? Locking the bikes up properly, using a good lock, separating seatposts and saddle from the frame, making the bikes unattractive, removing the front wheels (and if you have a floor pump, deflate the tyres), keeping the shifter in the opposite gear the bike is in..... Putting the bikes where it's more awkward (could be inside your car).

Of course none of this will prevent a theft, but chances are if you take precautions like this, a potential thief will look else where for an easier mark or at least take longer to steal your bike and increase the chances for you for them to be seen.

How far you choose to go and what is practical is up to you. I have some bikes I simply won't leave out of my sight.