Tag: Zefal

With all the positives around cycling that it’s great for the environment and good for your health, there are some unfortunate negatives. The primary one is that your bike can be stolen quickly and easily. That can happen while you’re in the bathroom, stopped for an after-ride coffee, or any other scenario you can think of where you have to leave your bike behind or outside.

Unless you keep your bike in view all the time or you have a folding bike, your prized stead is subject to possible theft. While we live in the age of Air Tags and other ways to track our possessions, these devices are still not enough of a deterrent. But the French company Zefal aims to correct that with its new lock called the K-TRAZ ZIP3.

Traditional Bike Locks: U-Locks, Chains, and Variations

There are all manner of bike locks on the market today: U-locks, chain, cable, folding, etc. The question is do they really work? Well, yes and no. If you want to use one of these locks and walk away for a short time, you might be okay. Most passers-by won’t even notice.

Bike thieves, however, are a different breed. They are armed with cable and lock cutters and will wait for that opportune moment when no one is around. The sad truth is not much will deter a thief if he really wants your bike. Sometimes thieves don’t have time to steal a full bike, so they will steal components: saddle, wheels, you name it, whatever they feel they can sell for quick cash.

Surprising Bike Theft Statistics

On average, there are 175, 200 bikes stolen every year. And these thefts are just the ones reported, so the actual number is probably much higher. Statistically, that means a bike is stolen in the United States every three minutes. A savvy and well-equipped bike thief can probably do it faster than that.

But of the 54% of those who reported their bikes stolen, recovery of those bikes is even lower at 5%. Surprisingly, the largest number of thefts occurred, a whopping 51%, while respondents were at home, so chances are their bikes weren’t secured.

Another surprising point is that people didn’t check the security level of the locks they used. In other words, a rating supplied by the manufacturer that supports that a lock works to deter crime. Respondents even had their bikes stolen when they were locked, usually from the street. It follows that if you live in a big city like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or some other big city, too, the chances for bike theft increase.

Zefal’s New Zip Tie Lock

Based on the statistics mentioned above, is there anything that can be done to prevent bicycle theft? Zefal, the French bicycle accessory maker, thinks so and adds their take on a bike lock to the market. The lock basically uses a zip tie structure that is reinforced with a steel blade and a self-locking code clamp. The company states this lock meets security level 3.

Zefal does, however, quickly excuse itself from seeing this lock as the ultimate deterrent. In the ad for the device on its website, it says the lock should be used with another type of bike lock. Furthermore, it says this lock is best for short trips. That is just one of its selling points. But can a bike thief cut through a steel blade or find some other way to get past it? That’s hard to say.

The other selling point is that Zefal’s zip tie lock is lightweight and easy to carry as opposed to a chain, U-lock, or cable. The last selling point is that the lock is just 19 euros ($20.00). But as the company states in its ad, it looks as though you’ll still need to carry one of those other types of locks with you anyway.

Tips to Avoid Potential Bike Theft

Having your personal property stolen, no matter the value is always a hurtful and maddening thing. If based on the data already mentioned there is no way to prevent bike theft, what can we do to make our bikes less of a target? As always, common sense prevails.

• Use more than one lock when leaving your bike behind, as Zefal mentions.
• Add a tracking device. Apple’s AirTags are great for bikes because they are so small and can be hidden on the bike.
• Lock your bike somewhere away from heavy foot traffic or a busy street. Take it with you and secure in it a place from wandering eyes.
• If you use your bike for commuting or errands, think about investing in a folding bike.
• If you’re at home, secure your bike inside a garage or your house/ apartment.
• Report your bike if it is stolen. True, it may seem pointless to do so based on the data, but sometimes things can work in your favor.

Last Thoughts

Bike theft numbers have been going down in recent years, but the reality is starker. A savvy bike criminal can take a bike in a matter of minutes. While locks and new tech, such as Zefal’s zip tie, are great and do help prevent some theft, common sense should always prevail.

Bikes can retain their value and are an easy form of transportation. Those two points are enough to seduce a bike thief. The sad thing is that you can also do everything right, use common sense, use lots of locks, etc. but still end up with a stolen bike. In that case, be vigilant about where you are and trust your instincts.