CycleSecureWeek gears up for bike crime crackdown
#CycleSecureWeek is a partnership approach to tackling bike security and is organised by Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), City of London Police, British Transport Police and BikeRegister. It follows on from the success of Cycle Secure Week 2015 where police offered useful security advice to cyclists and more than 3,000 bikes were marked in London.
During this year’s week of action, police will get the chance to reach even more commuter cyclists, as the annual Cycle to Work Day event takes place on Wednesday, 14th September. More than 30,000 cyclists have already pledged to take part and ride to work on the day.
#CycleSecureWeek will also incorporate the new #LockItMarkIt campaign, which encourages secure bike locking using two good quality locks and bike marking to deter theft. Police will distribute free locks to cyclists at special events held throughout the week, as well as giving cyclists the opportunity to get their bike marked and registered to BikeRegister.
BikeRegister is the UK's national cycle database and the leading online bicycle identification and registration initiative aiming to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery. The system is an essential crime prevention tool that is used by every UK Police Force.
#CycleSecureWeek will also highlight the hundreds of bike marking events that take place across the Capital throughout the year. Police are now able to load details of bike marking events in their area direct to the BikeRegister website, allowing members of the public to search for their local bike marking sessions at one central hub: www.bikeregister.com/events instead of having to scour social media or individual police websites for information.
James Brown, MD of BikeRegister, said: "BikeRegister is now an essential part of the toolkit that police use to fight bike crime. More than 550,000 bikes are already registered on the system and over 250,000 searches are performed on the database every year.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the police and TfL during the week of action. Bike marking is a proven deterrent to theft and bike owners who have their bikes marked and registered during #CycleSecureWeek can be quickly identified by Police in the event that their bike is stolen and recovered.”
Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On Street Operations, added: “With cycling in London increasing in popularity and with more bikes out on the streets, it has never been so important to keep your bike secure. Always use two good quality locks to protect your bike when unattended, and by going to one of the many events you can get advice on securing your bike, and also have your bike marked and registered.”
As bikes remain a popular and easy target for thieves, PC Stuart Ford from City of London Police, said: “Using a reliable, secure lock can decrease your chances of becoming a victim of crime. Having your bike marked can help us reunite you with your property in the event it does get stolen. Registering your bike will help us do this, so if you own a bike, get it marked with BikeRegister.
“We’ll be hosting an event in the City during the dedicated week of action and we would encourage everyone who hasn’t done so already to attend one across the Capital to get their bikes marked and registered.”
Detective Chief Inspector Will Young, MPS Roads and Transport Policing Command, added: “The MPS takes bicycle security very seriously and is determined to stop cycle thieves at all costs. However, cyclists can also do a lot to help secure their rides and I urge all bicycle owners to get their bikes both security marked and registered on-line at the earliest opportunity, if they have not done so already.
“Keeping information about items registered on property databases assists police in restoring property to their rightful owners in the event that it is stolen."
Reinforcing the main message of #CycleSecureWeek, Inspector Tony Lodge from British Transport Police, said: “Over the past few years we have seen a steady increase in passengers using cycles to travel to and from railway stations. Unfortunately this has also provided increased opportunities for thieves, due to cycles being relatively easy to steal and dispose of. Our message to cyclists is simple – make sure you lock and mark you bike to vastly reduce the chances of it being stolen.”
A national event to be held on Wednesday 14th September 2016, is Cycle to Work Day, which aims to encourage everyone to take to two wheels and cycle to work for at least one day. According to the census data, 741,000 people in the UK cycle to work regularly (www.cycletoworkday.org).
