Bike Insurance Advice From

This week marks the UK’s ‘National Bike Week,’ (16th - 22nd June), and as many people will be swapping four wheels for two, Halifax Home Insurance is advising cyclists to be on their guard for bike thieves looking for an easy ride.nnNational Bike Week is the ideal time to ditch the car and go green, however, Halifax Home Insurance is warning cyclists to consider taking out security measures, before getting on their bikes. Recent figures from the British Crime Survey indicate that a bike is stolen every 65 seconds on average in the UK and claims data from the insurer shows the average cost to replace a bike is £337.nnHead of Underwriting David Rochester said: “One bicycle theft every 65 seconds is shocking. While cycling has many benefits for people's health and also the environment, it is important that people take adequate measures to protect their cycles and also make sure they are insured, both in the home and also when out in public places.”nnAccording to Halifax's own claims data, the area most prone to bike theft is London, with four of the capital's regions appearing in the top ten bike theft hotspots. Other regions prone to bike theft include Bristol, Reading and Chester. nnHalifax home insurance, has compiled ten, tips to advise, which are as follows. nnMake use of special bicycle parking racks, where possible and always lock your bike, regardless of the time you will be away from it. nnIf possible use a rack that is in a well lit or busy area. nnWhen not in use, keep the bike locked in an outbuilding or inside the house. nnAlways keep the door to the building where you store your bike(s) locked, even if you are just in the back garden - an opportunist will always take his chances. nnUse a hardened steel U-type lock, as cable locks are easily cut. nnConsider using anti-pry devices. These cover the gap between your bike and the object it's secured to, thus preventing a thief from inserting a tool in the void and prying or twisting the bike free. nnRegister your bike at one of the bike ownership agencies. nnUse an ultraviolet pen to mark your postcode on the frame. nnWrite down the name, model and serial number of the bike and store it somewhere safe in case you need to pass on the details to the police. nnTake photographs of the bike and keep a note of extras such as mudguards, high performance tyres and even water bottles, and other equipment you may have added over time.n