What to Do If Your Bike is Stolen: A Guide for Cyclists

It’s every rider’s nightmare – you come out of work, only to find that your beloved bike is not where you locked it up. In fact, it’s nowhere to be seen at all!

The sinking feeling hits you like a ton of bricks and you’re left wondering, “What do I do now?”.

We’ve got your back with five practical steps to take if your bicycle ever does get stolen.

1. Don’t Panic

First things first, try to stay calm. Losing your bike can be frustrating, but panicking won’t help the situation. Take a deep breath and let’s get started on resolving this.

2. Report It

Time is of the essence when it comes to reporting a stolen bike. Contact your local police station and file a theft report.

Make sure to provide as much detail as possible about your bicycle, including its make, model, colour, value and any unique identifying features.

If you have the serial number, provide that too – it can greatly increase the chances of recovering it.

3. Spread the Word

Share the news of your stolen bike on social media like local Facebook Groups and Instagram Stories and encourage people to share your post.

The more people who know about it, the higher the chance someone might spot it and alert you or the police.

You should also report your stolen bike on the Stolen Bikes UK website.

4. Check Online Marketplace

Sadly, stolen bikes often end up being transported across the country to be sold online. Keep an eye on websites like eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace.

Sometimes thieves aren’t very imaginative about where they sell their loot. Findthatbike.com has an up to date list of bikes listed for sale across Gumtree and Ebay – it’s a good idea to check this.

5. Contact Local Bike Shops

If you have the time, you could reach out to bike shops in your area and inform them about your stolen bike.

Provide them with a description and ask them to keep an eye out for anyone trying to sell a similar bike.

Bikmo’s advice

Prevention is better than cure.

Consider investing in a reliable lock. Unsure about which locks provide optimal security? Explore our blog post highlighting the best D-locks.

Check out our video explaining the right way to lock up a bike.

Avoid leaving your bike in vulnerable locations and consider registering it with schemes like our partner, BikeRegister to improve the chances of recovery if it’s ever stolen.

This brings us to a crucial point – having the right insurance for your bicycle before it’s stolen.

Why is insurance important?

If you’re a regular cyclist, it’s essential to protect your bicycle, just like you would your car.

With the right insurance coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that if the worst does happen, you’re financially covered.

Financial Protection

If your bike is stolen and you have locked it up correctly, Bikmo’s insurance will cover the cost of replacing it, saving you from a financial setback.

Our policies also offer coverage for accessories like bike locks, which can be expensive to replace if they were damaged in a bike theft incident.

Our policies offer options for those looking for cover for Theft, Accidental Damage, racing, events and much more.

Bikmo cycle insurance starts from just £3.73 per month, with an exclusive 10% discount* for British Cycling members.

Get a quote in seconds

Find out more

Bikmo bicycle theft map

Check out our bicycle theft map to explore bicycle theft activity in your area.

By locking your bike correctly as shown above, and exploring insurance options, you can safeguard your bike and enjoy the freedom of cycling with peace of mind.