10
Apr
2014
By Calvin at 15:03 GMT, 12 years ago
Here’s a very interesting article from a former colleague, Paul King, a Community Protection Officer for Westminster City Council.
If you own a moped, wherever you are in the UK, or the world, for that matter, you should read this!!
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR MOPED SAFE
Mopeds and motorcycles can be an awfully tempting target for a thief. Mopeds, in particular, are smaller, lighter and, sadly, easier to lift into the back of a waiting van. All too frequently, owners return to find nothing left of their bike but an insurance claim.
So, is there anything you can do to help reduce the risk of your moped or motorcycle going the same way?
Recently, I visited four locations across Westminster where motorcycles and mopeds are often parked up. What astounded me was how few of them were fitted with security devices. In fact, of the 304 mopeds and motorcycles I counted, a staggering 210 (that’s almost 70%) had no visible additional security.
The only person to blame for theft is the thief but by investing in extra security you will help reduce the risk of your motorcycle being stolen. After all, thieves steal more motorcycles than cars every year. The more security devices fitted to a motorcycle, the more time and effort it will take to get away with the bike. The more security a thief sees, the less likely they’ll target that bike in the first place. In crime prevention, this is called ‘target hardening’.
And hard evidence suggests it’s worth making the effort. Since 2013, nearly all new mopeds and motorcycles have been marked forensically with a unique reference number that is invisible to the naked eye. This MASTER security scheme (see link below) is believed to have been partly responsible for a drop in [the theft of] such motorcycles as offenders know they’re taking an increased risk.
Even if yours isn’t a new bike, a number of companies can now apply an invisible forensic mark to your bike which, on its own, may not prevent theft but, if a bike is stolen, there’s a greater chance of both the motorcycle and the thief being tracked down.
In fact, there are all sorts of security devices on the market, varying in cost according to the level of security they offer. I’d recommend devices marked ‘Thatcham approved’ or ‘Sold Secure approved’ which have been tested and meet the highest standards in the security industry. Look out, too, for padlocks and chains sold as bolt cutter or lock-drill ‘resistant’. They might also display the tonnage level of their ‘force resistance’.
Ideally, don’t just purchase one product for one wheel. For example, on the rear wheel, you could use a chain with a good padlock. On the front wheel you could have a U-shackle lock or a disc lock. Some locks come with an audible alarm (110–120db) which would alert anyone nearby to an attempted theft.
When you park up, if there’s nothing substantial to chain your bike to, then loop the chain around the rear wheel and over the top of your seat. Not only will the chain then act as a visual deterrent but chains left on the ground can sometimes be broken against the hard road surface. Also, if you have a chain lock and park next to another motorcycle with a chain lock then why not interlock the chains. You will be protecting both motorcycles.
Westminster City Council also provides some motorcycle bays with ground anchors and you can find the locations on our website at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/secure-your-motorcycle.
A final thought for you - another benefit to extra security. With a lot of insurance companies, a good security device helps to reduce your annual premium. So, although extra security may cost you money in the first place, it can soon pay for itself by reducing your insurance. The question is – how much is your motorbike worth to you?
TCPW Comment: Thanks to Paul for this wise advice for motorcycle and moped owners and I hope it’s heeded. Paul makes reference to companies who can mark your bike or moped or perhaps fit a tracking device or a chip and you can find details of these companies at the link below:
I would also add that (sometimes paid for) parking facilities for two-wheeled vehicles and bicycles often leave a lot to be desired. If the facilities you use are useless, make a fuss; get together with your fellow two-wheelers and contact the owner or manager of the facility to see what can be done, because if we don’t ask we don’t get
For more information on motorcycle crime reduction see the Home Office link below http://www.motorcyclecheck.co.uk/SteerClearBIKE-print.pdf
For more information about the MASTER SECURITY SCHEME: http://www.masterscheme.org/
For marking your bike or moped follow this link: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/property-identification--marking-tagging-and-tracking/591/standards-for-property-marking-products-and-services/
To contact Paul use this email address: pking@westminster.gov.uk
Use a ParkMark Safer Parking Facility whenever possible. http://www.parkmark.co.uk/
