Bike Security

Security

It is important to ensure that wherever you park your bike, steps are taken to ensure it is not seen as a potential target for thieves. The websites of Immobilise and Transport for London provide useful information on ensuring you take all possible steps to make your bike less of a target, including advice on where to park, how to register your bike and the best lock to use.

 

Please note that QMUL does not accept any liability for theft or damage to bicycles left anywhere on its estate.

 

Here are some Security Tips from our Queen Mary Crime Prevention Manager:

• When out and about, park your bicycle in a well-lit place with a high footfall and CCTV cameras around – this will force a potential thief to perform in public.
• Always lock your bicycle using two good quality locks, with one being a D-lock – 60% of all bike thefts occur when the owner did not secure their bike, either forgetting or thinking it was safe.

 

• Position your bicycle as close to the parking stand as possible, ideally locking the frame and both wheels – this gives thieves very little to no room to manoeuvre with their tools.
• Remove the removable bits– anything that cannot be secured to the bike frame permanently should be removed when you leave your bicycle. This includes such obviously detachable parts as lights but you might consider removing your seat as well.  
• While you should definitely register your bicycle in a national database such as https://www.bikeregister.com/, you should also record it (taking detailed images and noting specific characteristics) and mark it (using an etching kit or asset marking) – the best solution is to make your bicycle appear less attractive by applying slightly crazy stickers, some duct tape to a seat and handlebars or creative paint colour combinations imitating dirt.  
• Ultimately, you might want to insure your bicycle for extra peace of mind. 

• Please also note that whilst on the campus, your bicycle should be parked in a dedicated parking area with the same locking principals applied you would use in a public space.

If you spot anything abnormal or anyone acting suspiciously around our cycling parking/storage facilities, please contact Security immediately on 020 7882 3333. 

Safety

Check you are riding safely – Transport for London offer a range of tips for all road users, including cyclists, to help in minimising the chance of incidents occurring; with simple tips on keeping yourself visible and advice on how to avoid placing yourself in potentially dangerous situations.

 

Bike Marking

We encourage all cyclists to get their bikes security marked – the Metropolitan Police offer a number of events where bikes can be marked free of charge, while further information on registering your bike to aid in its recovery is available on the Bike Register website.