{"id":2088,"date":"2023-08-10T01:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T05:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikefinest.com\/?p=2088"},"modified":"2023-08-10T01:48:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T05:48:44","slug":"are-bike-racks-easy-to-steal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikefinest.com\/are-bike-racks-easy-to-steal\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Bike Racks Easy To Steal And Can You Prevent It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bike racks generally come in more robust constructions intended for secure bike transportation. But does that make them theft-proof? Are bike racks easy to steal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thieves find it easy to steal unlocked bike racks or those left unattended for more extended periods. For that reason, securing racks on the car and keeping an eye on them is critical in preventing theft.     <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note, however, that we\u2019ve opportunist thieves who get attracted to unsecured and unattended bike racks. We also have professional thieves who use tricks to undo the locks and rack fasteners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, it\u2019s easy to avoid opportunists than professional thieves. Let\u2019s dig deeper into that!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Are Bike Racks Easy To Steal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, there are two sets of thieves who can potentially steal your bike, as I mentioned earlier. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunist Thieves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Opportunist thieves are the kind of thieves who are always looking for something unprotected or lightly secured that could earn them some quick cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever they see an unsecured or unattended bike rack, they always think it\u2019s a perfect opportunity for them to steal it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These kinds of thieves don\u2019t have the luxury of time and don\u2019t like attention. They won\u2019t steal a bike that\u2019ll take them a lot of time to unfasten or one that\u2019s in a protected area or where there is a lot of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And since they don\u2019t prepare beforehand to steal a particular thing, they usually don\u2019t come with specialized tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Thieves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike opportunist thieves, professional thieves come armed with tools to release items and steal them quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They plan for everything in advance and don\u2019t just give up because the rack is locked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If allowed enough time, these thieves will get away with your bike rack and are hard to track. That\u2019s unless you use a hidden GPS tracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors That Determine How Easy or Hard It Is To Steal Bike Racks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some situations or circumstances make it easy or hard for thieves to steal bike racks. They include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) The Bike Rack\u2019s Mounting Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The rack\u2019s mounting location can attract or discourage opportunist thieves from trying to steal your bike rack. Generally, opportunist thieves find it easy to steal rear-mounted racks than rooftop options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a rooftop rack, you\u2019ve to climb to the car\u2019s roof and try to unfasten the bicycle rack. That takes time, and that\u2019s something they don\u2019t have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, they are likely to be noticed from the roof from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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But if the rack is on the car\u2019s rear, whether it\u2019s on the hitch, spare tire, or trunk, thieves can access it quickly and unfasten it. They are also less noticeable, given that they can hide against the car\u2019s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it\u2019s always a risk when the rear rack is not secured on the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) Whether the Bike Rack is  Locked Or Not<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thieves find unlocked bike racks easy to steal than unlocked ones. Opportunist thieves, in particular, don\u2019t have the luxury of time \u2013 so they\u2019ll want to do everything fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That essentially means that your bike rack is safer locked than unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c) Whether the Bike Rack is Attended To Or Not<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thieves hate to create attention as they don\u2019t want to be caught. For that reason, they prefer to steal bikes that are unattended over extended periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunist thieves, in particular, will wait for a window when you get into the supermarket or use the toilet. They strike within those 10-15 minutes that you are not paying attention to your rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Keep My Bike Rack From Being Stolen?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here are some smart tips for protecting your bike rack from thieves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Lock the Bike Rack Well<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can deter thieves by locking your bike rack in the car. You\u2019ll need a heavy-duty u-lock for that, preferably with a cable to allow you also to lock your bike on the bike rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such lock is the\u00a0 Via Velo Bike U-Lock <\/strong>(<\/a>View on Amazon). This heavy-duty bicycle lock allows you to lock your bike on the rack and the rack on the vehicle. That\u2019s owing to its heavy-duty 1.8m cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The u-lock is hard to cut and manipulate, making it a good choice for securing your bike rack against thieves. So, it\u2019s a good choice for deterring both opportunists and professional thieves.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In general, you should remember these tips when locking your bike rack:<\/p>\n\n\n\n