Dozens of bicycles are stolen every week in Amstelveen and the center of Hoofddorp. This mainly concerns electric bicycles and the call for guarded bicycle sheds is getting louder there. But this problem also occurs in the rest of North Holland. Is your bike often stolen? And what do you do to prevent theft?
The call for a guarded bicycle shed in Amstelland and Haarlemmermeer has never been so great. Recently, fifteen electric bicycles were stolen in Hoofddorp in two weeks. At least eight bicycles were also stolen last week. A guarded parking facility is according to many the solution.
Bicycle theft is also a major problem in the rest of the province. In the Netherlands, about 735,000 bicycles were stolen in the past year. Stichting Aanpak Fiets en E-bike theft (SAFE) previously expected around 550,000 thefts of bicycles in 2021. The thieves are increasingly targeting electric bicycles and batteries, increasing the amount of damage.
Prevent your bike from being stolen
How do you prevent the theft of your steel steed? The Cyclists’ Union has some tips for this. Use two or three different locks and always secure your bike to something like a rack or bridge. It is important to always note your frame number. This makes your bicycle unique and you can report it to the police. Also by placing your bicycle in a guarded shed or parking your bicycle opposite a place where people are waiting, you often prevent theft.