Let’s protect our bikes: Why bike theft is a scourge we need to stop right now 🚲🔒
In France, more than 400,000 bikes are stolen every year. A statistic that sets your teeth on edge and dampens the urge to pedal for many of us. According to the Fédération Française des Usagers de la Bicyclette (FUB), nearly 80,000 cyclists give up using their bike every year because of this scourge. These thefts are becoming a real obstacle to green, sustainable mobility, and something urgently needs to be done.
In this article, we dive into the heart of the problem:
👉 Why are thieves so effective?
👉 Which cities are hit the hardest?
👉 And a few incredible stories of stolen bikes… and sometimes found again.
👉 Why are thieves so good at swiping our two-wheelers?
First of all, you should know that bikes aren’t the only thing thieves are after: e-bikes, cargo bikes and even e-scooters are among their favorite targets. In France, a bike is stolen every minute, and an e-scooter every 30 minutes. Scary, right? 😱
And why are thieves so effective?
- Their equipment is formidable: An angle grinder or a cut-off saw is enough to cut through most locks in less than a minute. Even without sophisticated tools, simple wire cutters can get the better of the lightest locks.
- Their organization is well oiled: Once stolen, bikes are quickly resold on platforms like Le Bon Coin, eBay or Facebook Marketplace. So if you’re looking for a second-hand bike, keep your eyes peeled!
💡 Tip: Choose a sturdy, certified lock to discourage thieves. And lock your frame AND your wheels to a fixed point, as the ADMA (Académie des Mobilités Actives) reminds us.
👉 Which cities are hit the hardest?
According to a map produced by the ADMA in 2022, the cities hit hardest by bike theft are the major metropolitan areas. No surprise there: the denser and busier a city is, the more opportunities there are for theft. But that’s not all:
- Where you park your bike plays a key role: Poorly monitored parking lots, posts in the middle of the street or isolated spots are ideal targets for thieves.
- The type of bike matters too: E-bikes and cargo bikes, which have a high market value, are particularly sought after.
- Times and seasons are important: Did you know that nearly 50% of thefts happen in broad daylight, and that fall is the season when thefts peak?
If you live in a big city, be extra careful and choose secure parking, even for a stop of just a few minutes.
👉 A few stories that will make you say: “Well, it could have been worse…”
My little story: The summer I learned to be wary of “quiet” parking spots
In summer 2022, while training for the Raid Amazones, I’d gotten into the habit of cycling to work in Cordeliers and using my lunch break to go swimming at the Rhône swimming pool. That day, I had my mountain bike with me, my faithful training companion. I locked it with two padlocks right in front of the pool, feeling confident. But then the security guard warned me:
👉 “You’d better not park your bike here, thieves strike in broad daylight.”
I hesitated, but it was too late to back out. As a precaution, I took off my saddle and slipped it into my gym bag. The result: I swam with constant apprehension. Fortunately, that day, luck was on my side: my bike was still there when I came out. But the question remains… would I be that lucky next time? 🤔
An incredible tale: The victim turned thief
The story of Alexandre (name changed), reported by Ouest-France, is well worth a read.
In 2019, his bike was stolen while it was locked with a cheap lock on a very busy street in Paris. Despite his searching, he eventually gave up on ever finding it. But a year and a half later, he stumbled upon a photo of his bike in a Facebook group dedicated to stolen bikes. The blue-green handlebar grip, a unique detail, left no doubt: it was definitely his!
The next day, Alexandre set off at 5:30 a.m. with a pair of wire cutters. He found his bike secured with a flimsy lock and, as fate would have it, managed to “take back” his property without anyone stopping him.
👉 Alexandre concludes: “I hate theft, but stealing from a thief is the only exception.”
A few practical tips to fight bike theft
- Invest in a good lock: Go for a certified model (U-lock or folding lock) and avoid flimsy “cable” locks.
- Register your bike: Anti-theft marking (like Bicycode) increases your chances of getting it back if it’s stolen.
- Be strategic about where you park: Choose highly visible, busy spots, or better yet, secure parking facilities.
- Keep an eye on resale sites: Stolen bikes often end up on Le Bon Coin or Facebook Marketplace.