"Protect your motorcycle, moped or scooter from thieves"!
Tens of thousands of motorcycle, moped and scooters were stolen in the last year - half of all vehicles stolen.
It takes a matter of seconds for a thief to steal a moped, scooter or motorcycle, especially if they are left either unsecured or with inadequate security. Two men can pick up a scooter and toss it into a van within SECONDS!
Use two or more security measures and reduce your risk of becoming a victim
Unfortunately security measures can’t guarantee your bike won’t be stolen, but by using multiple security measures you can make it harder and less attractive for thieves.
We recommend using a chain lock on your back wheel and through your bike frame, plus one other security measure, as a minimum.
Reduce your risk of becoming a victim by taking steps to layer your security:
Remove the keys
Thieves are often opportunists and so they will look for bikes that are quick and easy to steal first.
Always use the steering lock and remove the ignition keys, even if you are close by or away for a few minutes. It only takes a few seconds for a thief so don’t make it easy for them.
Lock your bike
Never rely on just using your steering lock to secure your bike.
The most common method used by thieves to steal a locked bike is to simply pick up the bike and toss it into a van.
Use a chain lock through the back wheel when parking on the street (the front wheel can be removed easily so won't help). Where possible, secure your bike to an immovable object such as a manhole cover, a railing, or a lamp post, which will also stop thieves from just picking the whole bike up.
Try to avoid parking on the street where van-pirates can grab your bike easily. For example, parking in a fenced yard, or an office courtyard, away from the road is much safer.
If these options aren't available, and you must leave your bike on the road, always try to thread the chain through your bike frame and back wheel if the design allows it. This helps protect parts being stolen and stops thieves from simply using a hammer or angle grinder to break the lock if it's left trailing on the ground.
Using a disc lock helps to secure the front brake disc to physically stop it from being wheeled away. Use a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls.
Use a cover - just doing this can mean thieves looking for parts don't ‘see’ your make-and-model.
Thieves often ‘shop’ for particular bike models, so using a bike cover instantly makes it less attractive to them, as they can’t see if it’s the model they are interested in. A cover also provides another time consuming obstacle for the thief.
Fitting an alarm can be a deterrent to thieves.
Consider fitting a 1 or 2 alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.
A quality, professionally fitted, alarm system will not only put off thieves, but could also reduce your insurance premiums. Check with ICBC.
Property mark the parts
Marking as much of your bike as possible will make it more difficult for criminals to sell parts on, and therefore less attractive to steal. It will also help police identify parts and return recovered stolen bikes.
There are a range of bike marking providers that you can use.
When at home the best place to keep your motorcycle, moped or scooter is in your garage or shed
Fit a garage door defender or upgrade garage door locks.
Most scooters are stolen from the street. Try to park your scooter off-street preferably in a fenced, gated, lighted area.
Garage and shed alarms as well as low level dusk to dawn lighting will also enhance security. Fitting a ground anchor also provides extra security.
Motorcycle sheds are also available to store your bike at home.
No shed or garage? Park in the safest place you can
Park it in an area near to your home where it’s well overlooked with good lighting.
Scooters are stolen from parking lots, too. A gated car park has a higher level of security than an open car park.
If your bike is stolen - Never put yourself at risk. Call police immediately on 911 if you see it being stolen, or if you discover it has gone you can report it to police on the 911 non-emergency line.
What your community is doing to reduce scooter theft
Regular operations to identify, disrupt and arrest offenders.
Working with Basic Training motorcycle schools to ensure scooter security awareness is embedded as part of training new riders.
Working with Block Watch in hotspot areas to educate “watchers”.
Educating the public on the steps they can take to help reduce their vulnerability to both theft of scooters and theft snatch.
Speaking to companies that use scooters as delivery vehicles about strategies to improve the safety of their bikes.
Urging motorcycle groups to raise awareness of the risk and help riders adopt long term changes to better secure their bikes.
Help your community to reduce further crime
Stolen scooters are increasingly being used to commit further crimes, such as phone snatches. By protecting your scooter you could help to reduce these other crimes. Help spread theft awareness by joining a motorcycle riders club or Facebook group. Take the time to share this message with other riders!
This message was brought to you by www.mcparking.ca, a voice for free, safe motorcycle parking in Vancouver. (Feel free to print this 1-page version of this flyer as a free handout to other riders)