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Monday 17 Jun 2013

Bike safety week at Derby station

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Cyclists in Derby are being offered advice on how to keep their bikes safe as part of National Bike Week. Teams from British Transport Police and Network Rail will be working with their partners East Midland Trains, Derbyshire Constabulary and Derby Cycle Group at Derby station on Tuesday 18^th and Thursday 20^th June from 5-7pm. As well as tips on protecting their bikes, cyclists will be offered information about using level crossings safely.

Liz Reedy, community safety manager for Network Rail, said; “National Bike Week aims to get more of us on two wheels and into the fresh air. We’re supporting that while at the same time offering tips for staying safe when you’re out and about and protecting your bike when you stop for a well-earned rest. We’ll be at Derby station on the evenings of 18^th and 20^th June to support people getting back into the saddle.”

British Transport Police officer Liz Illingworth added: “Officers will be at the station offering passengers advice on how to keep their bikes safe. A difficulty we face is that many people who ride bikes leave them at railway stations for long periods of time, with some even owning two bikes and leaving them locked up at stations overnight.

"Because of this, it's more important than ever for us to ensure that cycle owners are educated and informed about how best to protect themselves from thieves.

"There are several steps people can take to ensure their bikes are adequately marked and secured to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of bike theft. Officers from Derbyshire Constabulary will also providing advice on how to register your bike and give crime prevention advice. It is most important to ensure two solid locks are used to secure both the frame and the wheels to the stand. If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore reduces its desirability to thieves."

Bicycles are a popular target for thieves. Here are some simple tips to ensure your cycle remains secure:

• Always lock your bicycle whenever you leave it at a designated cycle rack area. Lock the frame and both wheels to a cycle stand.

• Consider using more than one lock to secure your bike and ensure that you use a recognised security standard lock. D-locks, extension cable or heavy chain locks are certified locking mechanisms. It is important to ensure that yours are up to date.

• Make the lock(s) and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked by ensuring little room between the stand and the bike.

• Do not allow your lock(s) to come into contact with the ground, where they are viewed as more vulnerable.

• Take a photograph of your bike and record your frame number and key details. This will be crucial in recovering your bike if it is stolen.

• Mark your frame with your postcode in two separate locations, one of which should be hidden. Attach a ‘Coded Cycle’ label to reduce the risk of making your bike a target for theft.

• Do not ride with valuables in open baskets or panniers.

• Register your bicycle at www.immobilise.com or www.bikeregister.com

Rob Burton, Derby station manager for East Midlands Trains, said: "We're delighted to be able to host this event at Derby station during National Bike Week. We always like to encourage our passengers to find alternative, greener methods of transport other than the car and this is just one option that also helps to keep you fit. If you've never thought about hopping on your bike to get to the station before, maybe National Bike Week is the week to give it a go."