Spring heralds the start of the 2023 cycling season.
The most important thing is the right theft protection.
What to look out for now.
Frankfurt – Whether it's a trip to the countryside or the way to work: With the rising temperatures, many people are getting back on their bikes.
Cycling not only keeps the body fit, but is also an environmentally friendly alternative to the car.
There are always new bike trends.
Bicycles are popular in Germany, whether with or without a motor.
According to the Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), the bicycle stock rose to 81 million bikes in 2021.
In Frankfurt there is a counting station that counts the number of bicycles passing by.
So that the two-wheeler fun doesn't end suddenly, good protection against theft is crucial.
Here you can read what you need to pay attention to.
Protecting your bike from theft: what matters when it comes to a bike lock
Once in the supermarket and the bike is not connected, thieves sense their chance.
But targeted theft also becomes a problem if the right precautions are not taken.
According to the General Association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV), expensive bikes such as high-quality racing bikes, e-bikes or mountain bikes are popular targets for thieves.
A good lock is therefore important in the first place.
There are a wide variety of variations on the market: the Brandenburg police recommends stable chain, U-lock or folding locks.
According to the information, thin chain, U-lock, spoke or cable locks are less suitable because they can be cracked quickly with simple tools.
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The police also advise: pay attention to quality and buy a certified lock with a solid locking system made of high-quality material.
As a guideline, about five to ten percent of the bicycle price is given for a theft-proof lock.
Anti-theft protection for bicycles: What applies to e-bikes
Electric bicycles also need a stable lock.
Although many e-bikes or pedelecs have a frame lock, according to the Brandenburg police, this is not enough to protect against theft.
Despite being secured, the bike can usually be carried away easily or rolled away on the front wheel.
Therefore, e-bikes should always be secured with an additional bike lock.
The same applies to the battery: you should either take it with you or secure it with an additional lock.
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A stable bicycle lock is particularly important for the right theft protection.
© Martin Gerten/dpa
In addition to a bicycle lock, parking the bike correctly also plays a central role.
According to the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC), the front and rear wheels should be connected to the bicycle frame on a firmly anchored object, such as a bicycle stand.
Streets with poor visibility or lonely squares are less suitable for parking two-wheelers in public.
In addition, the bike should always be connected indoors such as cellars.
Theft: GPS, bike pass, insurance - What you should pay attention to
If the bike is stolen, the theft should be reported to the police.
A previously installed GPS tracker can help locate the bike.
Information such as the frame or code number can be entered in a bicycle pass – also digitally possible.
This can later make it easier to find the owner.
The police also recommend keeping important data such as the brand and type of bicycle and the proof of purchase.
Insurance can also be worthwhile for more expensive bikes.
The GDV informed that theft from locked storage rooms, cellars or apartments can already be covered by household contents insurance.
For thefts on the open road, a corresponding additional clause is usually required.
In addition, there are also special bicycle insurance policies that also protect the two-wheelers against vandalism, accident or electronic damage.
According to Finanztest
magazine
, good anti-theft protection starts at 32 euros a year, and e-bikes worth 2,500 euros can be secured for around 50 euros.
The insurance premiums can vary depending on where you live.
If bicycles are stolen particularly frequently in a region, the insurance premiums are higher.
According to
the financial test
, it can help in such cases to compare tariffs nationwide.
Last year, a tinkerer built the heaviest bicycle in the world.
(kas/dpa)
List of rubrics: © Martin Gerten/dpa