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Preventing bicycle theft

A bicycle is a possession worth protecting, whether it is your old ten-speed or your child's new mountain bike. These basic precautions may save you a lot of aggravation in the long run:

1. Always lock your bike when you must leave it unguarded.
2. The best locking system you can afford; none is as expensive as a new bike.
3. Choose a locking system that cannot be easily cut, such as a U-shaped lock or a heavy-duty lock with a strong wire cable
4. Always try to secure the bicycle's frame and both wheels to a stationary object, such as a post or a fence. It is not enough to secure only the front wheel, because then the rest of the bike can be easily stolen.
5. Protect your bike by recording its serial number; this may help to recover it if it is stolen.
6. Register your bicycle with your local police department. Not only will this increase the chances of recovering your bike if it is stolen, a license sticker in plain view might discourage a would-be thief.

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