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KEEP YOUR BIKE So What’s All The Fuss About Security For? Introduction 
If you’re unlucky enough to have had your motorcycle, scooter or moped stolen, then you’ll know.
The thought of a thief riding around on your pride and joy, or breaking it up for parts, is frustrating to say the least. To say nothing of the inconvenience of arranging alternative transport, reporting the theft, making the insurance claim, paying the excess etc. etc. We all know there are things we do that affect the risk we are exposed to. For example, if you leave your machine in town, unlocked and with the keys in the ignition, you’re asking for trouble, right? But riding is about freedom and convenience and no one expects you to take Fort Knox security measures. It’s all about being appropriate and sensible. So what are the risks? That depends on a number of things… 
What You Ride. Of the average annual of 49,500 machines reported stolen between 2001 and 2003, mopeds and scooters were shown to be most at risk. 101-125cc machines being the most stolen group of motorcycles, the majority of which could well be trail and off road bikes. Annecdotal evidence from the Metropolitan Police suggests that scooter and moped theft are more likely to be opportunist, whilst the big motorcycles are likely to be stolen to order by more professional thieves.
Where You Park It. Approx. 80% of thefts occur from the owners homes according to the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF). The British Crime Survey 2000 states that most vehicle theft occurs at weekends and during the evening, or at night, which is when you’re likely to be at home! However, theft from public places is also a significant risk, so ask your local authority about secure parking in your area, so that when you pop into town you bike will be there when you get back. Practical security you can really use. Annecdotal evidence suggests that as many as 50% of riders do not lock their machines. Similar evidence from the Metropolitan Police suggests that relatively simple security will defeat most thieves but a professional could steal your machine in as little as 15 seconds, and that the practice of picking a machine up and removing it in a van is a popular method of theft because it is quick and quiet. 
Recent research by the MCI suggests that machines that are not security marked, ie fitted with transponders, etched, coded and registered, maybe twice as likely to be stolen.
So with motorcycle thefts at almost twice the rate of car thefts, where do they all go if they’re not recovered. Anecdotal evidence from the Met Police again, suggests that as high as 60% of machines stolen are broken to sell for parts. So what are my chances of getting it back? A recent Home Office Research Findings Report 269 finds that 79% of cars are recovered, compared to 40% of all motorcycles, so don’t rely on it. 
If you do get it back, it is highly likely that in order to steal it, damage has occurred. For example the steering and ignition lock may have been forced, wiring may have been tampered with, or a wheel may have been removed to avoid the time consuming and noisy business of removing a lock.
Stop Theft, Before it Stops You Riding Try and take as many of the below measures to reduce your risk as is practical. The more barriers you put between the thief and your machine, the more likely it is that they won’t bother trying to steal it.
Always lock your machine to something immovable.
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The Motor Cycle Industry Association Limited
1 Rye Hill Office Park, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry, CV5 9AB Registered in England No. 1113282. |
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Tel: (024) 76 408 000 Fax: (024) 76 408 001 |
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