Cycle security

Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire Constabulary have joined forces to offer residents and students free security marking for their bikes.

At our security marking events your bike will be permanently marked with a unique code and your details added to the national Bike Register database. Security marking is a useful tool that helps to reunite bikes, seized by police forces across the UK, with their owners. It can also act as a deterrent to would-be thieves as the bike is permanently inscribed, making it less easy to sell.

Security marking is offered for free on a first come, first served basis. Events take place between 1.30pm – 3.30pm between the University of Portsmouth Library and Ravelin Sports Centre on Cambridge Road, on the last Thursday of every month during the University’s academic year – between September 2024 and May 2025.

For more information visit the Bike Register website.

It’s always best to use two locks. Go for different types of lock, for example, a strong D-lock and a sturdy chain lock. This means that a thief will need different tools to break each lock, making theft less likely.

• lock both wheels and the frame to a bike stand or strong, immovable object
• lock ‘tight’ so your bike is hard to manoeuvre when parked
• secure your lock so it does not touch the ground

Buy a decent lock (or two). Before visiting a bike shop, check Sold secure to see which locks are most secure. Expect to pay £40 upwards for a secure locking system.