{"id":839,"date":"2010-08-23T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2010-08-23T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/?p=839"},"modified":"2014-07-18T14:39:52","modified_gmt":"2014-07-18T14:39:52","slug":"preventing-your-dutch-bicycle-from-being-stolen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/preventing-your-dutch-bicycle-from-being-stolen\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Your Dutch Bicycle from Being Stolen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last month we talked about where you can buy a bicycle in the Netherlands and also described some of the many options and types of Dutch bicycles.\u00a0 A rumor you may have heard is that bicycle theft runs rampant in this country.\u00a0 That’s only a half-truth, but a truth nonetheless.\u00a0 In any larger cities you will need to lock your bicycle up like it is made of gold to keep it from being stolen.\u00a0 Amsterdam in particular has a bicycle theft problem and a horde of people roaming the streets looking to steal your shiny new bicycle out from under you.\u00a0 Here are some tips to prevent this from happening.<\/p>\n

It’s all in the Lock<\/strong><\/p>\n

You wouldn’t put a flimsy lock on your house, so why would you put a flimsy lock on your bicycle?\u00a0 The value of your bicycle goes much farther than it’s price: it’s your mobility in the city.\u00a0 And you’ll probably become attached to the thing even if it is the ugliest rustiest piece of junk, simply because it is\u00a0your<\/em> bicycle.<\/p>\n

The bicycle lock and chain should be made of thick virtually indestructible steel.\u00a0 You won’t find anything like this at the local Hema or Blokker, although those locks look almost identical.\u00a0 They are most definitely not.\u00a0 Unlike a high quality lock and chain set, the cheap ones are easy to saw through or cut through with metal cutters.\u00a0 Think it sounds absurd that someone would do that to your bicycle?\u00a0 No really, it happens.<\/p>\n

Apparently there’s even now a problem with the locks for the back wheels, because they are now so generic that a generic key can open many locks.\u00a0 I was really surprised by this one.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KP9FFUMIJF8<\/a>
\nHow to Lock Your Bicycle<\/strong><\/p>\n

So you have your indestructible lock and it weighs more than the bicycle you are riding.\u00a0 But if you don’t use it properly, it won’t make a bit of difference.\u00a0 You have to keep in mind that bicycle theft is a professional business for some, and they are prowling the streets looking for your bicycle.<\/p>\n

Always put the chain through the frame of the bicycle and the front tire.\u00a0 The front wheel is easy to remove.\u00a0 You might just return to your bicycle and find only the wheel and lock if you didn’t attach the chain through the frame.<\/p>\n

Always lock your bicycle to something sturdy.\u00a0 Preferably this is a bicycle rack.\u00a0 Trees, traffic posts and flimsy fences won’t cut it.<\/p>\n

Try to park in a busy area.\u00a0 Bicycle thieves hate to be disturbed while they are working.\u00a0 The more people who are around the better.\u00a0 The more deserted the area, the more likely you will be to return to a missing bicycle.<\/p>\n

Park in or near groups. \u00a0If you park your bicycle where it stands out, someone is going to notice it. \u00a0If you park your bicycle in a group it’s one of many bicycles.<\/p>\n

Use multiple locks.\u00a0 Ideally you should have one lock for the back wheel and one lock for the frame and the front wheel.\u00a0 Or more if you really want to take it to the extreme.\u00a0 The back lock can be a bit flimsier because it is very difficult to remove the back wheel quickly and without being noticed.\u00a0 But as the video above showed, be wary of buying a generic brand because everyone will have a key to your bicycle.<\/p>\n

Don’t ever leave your bicycle unlocked.\u00a0 Not even for a minute, a moment, a second. \u00a0It sounds a bit neurotic, but someone can very easily hop on your bicycle, pedal quickly away, and you won’t have a chance on foot. \u00a0At least use the small back tire lock, it’s better than nothing.<\/p>\n

Also important<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can register your bicycle with the local police. \u00a0Stop in at a bicycle shop or the local police station near you and ask where and how you can do this. \u00a0They will carve a unique identifying number into your bicycle and keep that number registered in case it is stolen.<\/p>\n

Last, but not least, there are two theories to decorating your bicycle. \u00a0The first is that you should make your bicycle stand out as much as possible. \u00a0The theory here is that your bicycle becomes much easier to trace and find if you say to the officer, “A neon green and purple bicycle with gold flags and orange stripes has been stolen.” \u00a0As opposed to, “Ummm…it was black, there was a big rust spot on the handlebars…I miss him.”<\/p>\n

The second theory is the opposition to the first theory: make sure your bicycle doesn’t stand out so that no one notices it at all. \u00a0A sort of bicycle camouflage, if you will. \u00a0I’ve seen people with incredibly nice shiny new bicycles who obviously painted them black just so it wouldn’t be noticed that they were shiny new bicycles. \u00a0I subscribe to this method, although the idea of painting my bicycle a funky color does have a sort of charm.<\/p>\n

That about covers it for bicycle theft prevention. \u00a0In my next post I’ll give you some vocabulary for the bicycle that should come in handy if it ever breaks. \u00a0And it can and it will…<\/p>\n

If you have any other helpful tips or information to add to this topic, let us know in the comments section below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last month we talked about where you can buy a bicycle in the Netherlands and also described some of the many options and types of Dutch bicycles.\u00a0 A rumor you may have heard is that bicycle theft runs rampant in this country.\u00a0 That’s only a half-truth, but a truth nonetheless.\u00a0 In any larger cities you…<\/p>\n

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