An estimated 72,445 bike thefts occurred in England by the end of 2022, according to research by insurance aggregator Comparethemarket.
Cyclists in London, Thames Valley, and Greater Manchester are reportedly the most at risk of having their bikes stolen. Meanwhile, bike theft rates have risen more in Leicestershire than anywhere else in the country (23%).
Cycling is recognised as a cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to get around, but with an estimated 72,445 cases of bike theft taking place in England by the end of 2022, many cyclists remain at risk of losing their main mode of transport.
The home insurance team at Comparethemarket carried out research on reported bike theft statistics from 2015 to 2021, to determine whether or not this type of crime is becoming more prevalent. The research also predicts which locations cyclists are the most and least at risk of having their bikes stolen.
The table below shows the top five locations where cyclists are most at risk of having their bikes stolen.
|
Rank |
Location |
Bike theft probability score (out of ten) |
Predicted bike thefts in 2022 |
|
1 |
London |
5.4 |
22,818 |
|
2 |
Thames Valley |
3.8 |
4,460 |
|
3 |
Greater Manchester |
2.8 |
4,354 |
|
4 |
Cambridgeshire |
10.0 |
3,458 |
|
5 |
Avon and Somerset |
3.3 |
2,598 |
The table below shows the top five locations that experienced the biggest increase in bike theft between 2020 and 2021.
|
Rank |
Location |
Increase of bicycle theft cases from 2020 to 2021 (%) |
Predicted bicycle theft cases in 2022* |
|
1 |
Leicestershire |
23% |
1,466 |
|
2 |
Wiltshire |
14% |
572 |
|
3 |
Humberside |
12% |
1,315 |
|
3 |
South Yorkshire |
12% |
936 |
|
4 |
Merseyside |
12% |
1,556 |
|
5 |
Norfolk |
11% |
859 |
Anna McEntee, director at Comparethemarket, said “With so many bike thefts taking place across the country, it’s crucial that cyclists do everything in their power to prevent their bikes from being stolen.
“This should include investing in high-quality locks, being careful about where you park your bike and registering with the National Cycle Database.
“You should also check if your home insurance policy covers bike theft as standard and consider taking out additional cover if it doesn’t. You’ll likely need cover for when you’re out and about as well as when you’re parked up at home, so make sure the policy applies in both situations as they differ between providers.”
www.comparethemarket.com/bike-theft-hotspots
