Keep your motorbike, moped or scooter safe
Advice on how to prevent motorcycle theft, plus ways to keep your motorcycle safe and secure at your home or on the streets.
If you own a motorcycle, such as a motorbike, moped or scooter, consider the following advice to help prevent the theft of your vehicle.
Tips to prevent motorcycle theft
Always take your keys
Thieves can be opportunists and they look first for bikes that are quick and easy to steal.
Always use the steering lock and remove the ignition keys, even if you are just popping into a shop.
Install alarm and tracker systems
New motorcycles, under the MCIA Secured scheme, may have an alarm system installed.
But if yours does not have one, consider fitting a Thatcham alarm system. These can come with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors.
If your moped, scooter or motorbike has a tracker and is stolen, the tracker may help us trace your vehicle.
Cover your motorcycle
Covering your motorcycle will hide what type of model it is and make it less appealing to opportunistic thieves.
Mark your motorcycle
You can mark your motorcycle with invisible ink.
This can deter thieves by making your bike harder to sell, and may help us recover it if stolen by using the unique, invisible marks to trace ownership.
These systems use microdots or UV-visible DNA marking to provide a covert layer of protection that does not deface your motorcycle’s appearance.
A warning sticker may also alert criminals to the presence of the marking.
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved asset marking suppliers.
Use strong locks
Disc-brake locks or lock-chain combinations can help to secure your motorcycle and make it hard for thieves.
Alternatively, consider an anchoring solution that provides a very strong fixing on the floor or wall of your property to provide even better protection against theft.
Common types of strong lock
- D locks – are secured to the front wheel to stop it being wheeled away.
- Disc Locks – use a disc lock to help secure the front disc brake.
- Floor or wall anchors – provide a permanent fixing point either at home in a garage or on a driveway.
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved lock suppliers.
Keep your motorcycle secure at home
If you park your moped, scooter or motorbike in a garage, consider:
- fitting a garage door defender
- upgrading your garage locks
- installing CCTV
If you do not have a garage, you could consider:
- keeping your motorcycle in a shed
- storing it in a motorcycle locker
- installing CCTV
For more information on shed and garage security, visit our securing your garden and outbuildings page.
Keep your motorcycle secure on the streets
If you do not have a garage or shed, consider parking in a well-lit area close to home (use a steering lock and take your ignition keys).
Alternatively, you can search for a Park Mark-approved car park which has more security than other car parks.