Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: hatler on 26 October, 2020, 11:48:46 am
-
All,
Have we got a single thread anywhere which lists all the tactics to reduce the chance of your bike getting nicked ?
I had a brief search, but, well, you know ....
Anyhow, this is for starters, what else can you add ?
D locks are better than cable locks. I regard a cable lock as simply a deterrent, it can be snipped quicker than it can be unlocked. I don't any more, but if I were to leave a bike secured with a cable I wouldn't let it out of my sight.
General recommendation is that you spend a tenth of the bike's new cost on a D lock.
When you lock your bike up with a D lock make sure that as much of the space in the D is occupied by either bike or the strong point you are locking to. This stops the thief getting a hydraulic ram in the lock to bust it.
Use two different types of lock. A thief will typically go out with one tool to defeat one type of lock. Having two types of lock should overcome that.
Park your bike somewhere really obvious.
Park your bike next to a much more desirable bike (and ideally one that has a weaker lock than yours).
Make your bike look less desirable.
Don't park it in the same place at the same time every day.
Make sure you record the frame number of your bike (typically it's stamped into the frame under the bottom bracket - the bit that the pedals are linked through).
Register it with one of the existing bike tracing websites.
Remove the bar end plugs and pop a piece of paper with your name and address into the bar ends, then put the plugs back in. Should your bike be recovered it's then much easier to prove it's yours.
Photograph your bike in detail, making sure that anything that is non-standard is covered. This will help to identify it should it be recovered.
Leave your bike in top gear. Anyone trying a hasty get away won't be able to speed off quite as quick as they might like.
Take the wheels off and lock them to the bike if you're leaving it for any length of time. That makes it a less attractive thing to steal, because they have to spend longer getting it ready to cycle away.
Remove anything easily removable, eg lights, bottles, saddlebags, computers etc. and take it all with you.
Consider pitlock skewers for the wheels and saddle.
D-lock the frame then use a cable leash to secure both wheels and possibly loop through a saddle rail.
-
You've forgotten the other peripherals.
Lights, bottles, saddlebags, computers etc. take it all with you.
-
Aha ! Of course. Thank you.
I'll add all extra tips in so it's all in one place.
-
I don't think having an undesirable bike makes it less likely to get stolen. It makes it appeal to a different sort of thief instead.
Don't lock your bike round the top tube. That makes it easier to force a D-lock open by pull and twist.
-
Or, fold it up and take it in with you. The best defence is to not leave your bike somewhere it can be easily nicked.
For wheels, removing them and locking separately is a right total utter pain in the arse. A better option is to use something like pitlocks. plus a lock through each wheel.
No lock is totally secure, you're just trying to slow them down enough to go elsewhere.
J
-
Fixed gear, recumbent bikes, upright trikes, wobblebikes, unicycles: anything that's likely to prevent a quick getaway by a thief without the relevant skills.
PINK, whatever flavour of handlebars are currently unfashionable.
Small padlock through a chain link.
Park it upside down.
Use London-rated locks, but don't live in London.
Don't put a plastic bag over the saddle to keep it dry: that screams "Brooks". Use one of those muggle seat pads instead, or better, remove the saddle and seatpost.
-
I don't think having an undesirable bike makes it less likely to get stolen. It makes it appeal to a different sort of thief instead.
Don't lock your bike round the top tube. That makes it easier to force a D-lock open by pull and twist.
My commutified Saracen Rufftrax remains unstolen and that spent years locked up on London streets with a basic D-lock for the back and cable lock for the front. I used to figure parking it near a nicer bike was a good plan, but I think it's hit and miss, you get the industrial scale thievery that just cuts the locks on all the bikes and tosses them in a van and drives off. Mostly park them some exposed out on the street where it at least might look suspicious if someone tries to nick them but ultimately assume that it might get stolen. Don't park anything of obviously high value. The Brompton I saw locked outside Catford station a while back probably had a half-life of minutes.
Anyway, I've never had a bike stolen in all my time in London.
-
my solution is to have a nicely running and well maintained bike that looks like a pos ( = low resale value).
-
D locks are better than cable locks. I regard a cable lock as simply a deterrent, it can be snipped quicker than it can be unlocked. I don't any more, but if I were to leave a bike secured with a cable I wouldn't let it out of my sight.
Any serious bike thief has a cordless angle grinder, so it's best to consider an average d-lock as only slightly better than a cable lock.
Park your bike somewhere really obvious.
No, that just makes it easier for the thieves to target it. Thieves can't take a bike they haven't seen.
My main advice is some bikes just shouldn't be locked up in bush public places. If you have a vaguely new-ish nice-ish name brand road or mountain bike you shouldn't expect it to still be there when you get back. Even if they don't take the whole bike, stealing road handlebars (for the shifters) and other high value parts is common.
-
At the old Eastway circuit ( now buried under the Olympic Park) for a race I was appalled at the rusting state of a bike leaning by the changing rooms.
On closer examination though the appearance was due to some fabulous airbrush work, and underneath it was a really good machine. The owner claimed that it was to discourage theft.
-
Two Good Locks.
(c) Barry Mason, RIP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBmfvwJnZM
-
Park your bike somewhere really obvious.
No, that just makes it easier for the thieves to target it. Thieves can't take a bike they haven't seen.
Yes and no. It's a lot easier to get 5 mins to spend with an angle grinder round the back by the bins where noone goes, than it is out front where everyone is walking past.
J
-
I think your bike's value to a thief does not necessarily bear any relation to its value if sold by you. If the thief doesn't have the connections and knowledge or is desperate, no bike is worth more than £50 on Gumtree. This can actually make a crap bike more attractive; it's probably less securely locked, its owner is less likely to invest time in social media and cops to retrieve it, and it's probably easier to sell quickly because the buyers it attracts are less knowledgeable or curious.
Obvious or hidden location goes both ways. Yes, easier to work with tools in a quiet place. But there are plenty of busted locks, stripped frames and wheels locked up without frames on plain view in the busiest streets of city centres. A couple of twists and pulls is all it takes to burst open many D-locks, no need to spend more than 30 seconds or make a noise.
-
Two Good Locks.
(c) Barry Mason, RIP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBmfvwJnZM
That's my mate Alan skulking around in the hi-viz in the background.
-
Park your bike somewhere really obvious.
No, that just makes it easier for the thieves to target it. Thieves can't take a bike they haven't seen.
Yes and no. It's a lot easier to get 5 mins to spend with an angle grinder round the back by the bins where noone goes, than it is out front where everyone is walking past.
In public view is not worth many deterrent points.
When Junior broke the key off inside a D-lock, I spent 5 minutes with a battery angle-grinder to rescue the bike.
It was locked to railings outside the entrance to Waverly Station in Edinburgh.
I cut the lock off in full view of several hundred passers-by, generating an impressive arc of sparks, in broad daylight.
No-one batted an eye.
-
But you're such an honest looking chap (I have to presume).
-
When IanN locked his and my bike up in a cafe courtyard and then forgot the combination, we even borrowed a hacksaw (or something, can't remember exactly what) off a passer-by.
(I remind him of this and he reminds me of the time I took a schrader-valved tube for my presta rims... )
-
Park your bike somewhere really obvious.
No, that just makes it easier for the thieves to target it. Thieves can't take a bike they haven't seen.
Yes and no. It's a lot easier to get 5 mins to spend with an angle grinder round the back by the bins where noone goes, than it is out front where everyone is walking past.
Depends on whether you're white, male and wearing the hi-vis jacket of invisibility...
-
Whatever you do, do not employ the gammon faced pig botherer method.
-
Whatever you do, do not employ the gammon faced pig botherer method.
Always good advice.
-
Always park it next to a more expensive-looking bike that will be a more attractive target for thieves. That way, if they only have time to nick one bike, it won't be yours.
ETA: sorry, just seen this was already mentioned in the OP.
-
Run a cheap bike, and use that when you have to leave it parked somewhere.
-
Two Good Locks.
(c) Barry Mason, RIP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBmfvwJnZM
Gosh, I miss Barry :'(
-
Live in Birmingham where the "sought after" bikes are full suss mtbs to be flipped for a small amount of dosh. Combine the fixed gear with mudguards, drop bars and the wrong colour saddle/bar tape.
-
Mudguards, rack, some road scuzz (I never knowingly cleaned it), and having a small frame bike have probably been effective.
I figure, without having any evidence but this is the internet, that there are three types of thieves. The amateur opportunists who just see a random bike that they like and have the means to take it, or the more professional types who will either target high-value bikes or simple rely on bulk. A friend of mine lost her Halfords piece-of-shit (which tbh, she was happy about, it had unresolvable gear commitment issues, and the handlebars worked loose every other day). That wasn't stolen purposefully, it only cost about £90 and wasn't close to being worth that. It was born for the back of the garage.
She did get that back*, and it was a bulk theft, there was a house up the road whose garden was filled with bicycles. The best way for bikes not to get nicked, of course, would be for people to stop buying stolen bikes.
*no initial thanks to the Met, who first raid was foiled by the fact the miscreant didn't answer the door when they politely knocked.
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/sep/13/bike-thief-stolen-tips
Bike thief tells how to stop your cycle from being stolen
Owners of bikes costing more than a few hundred quid should always take them indoors. Whenever Aziz's crack dealer got wind of an expensive bike locked up in the area he would send Aziz out to fetch it. Thieves also watch where expensive bike are regularly parked. For anyone with outdoor parking, he recommends riding a cheaper bike.
...for high risk areas I guess. In Oxford (or certain areas of oxfordshire towns), I just wouldn't leave a bike of any significant 'value' to me locked & unattended. Have an old, non-attractive road bike for leaving outside shops/restaurants/pubs etc., for any length of time.
-
this is absolutely my strategy. However it means that I end up doing most of my miles on a pretty rotten looking bike. I am concerned that it will look 'good enough to nick' whenever it gets painted or otherwise titivated.
cheers
-
Mudguards, rack, some road scuzz (I never knowingly cleaned it), and having a small frame bike have probably been effective.
I figure, without having any evidence but this is the internet, that there are three types of thieves. The amateur opportunists who just see a random bike that they like and have the means to take it, or the more professional types who will either target high-value bikes or simple rely on bulk. A friend of mine lost her Halfords piece-of-shit (which tbh, she was happy about, it had unresolvable gear commitment issues, and the handlebars worked loose every other day). That wasn't stolen purposefully, it only cost about £90 and wasn't close to being worth that. It was born for the back of the garage.
She did get that back*, and it was a bulk theft, there was a house up the road whose garden was filled with bicycles. The best way for bikes not to get nicked, of course, would be for people to stop buying stolen bikes.
*no initial thanks to the Met, who first raid was foiled by the fact the miscreant didn't answer the door when they politely knocked.
What's the third type?
-
There is one thing not mentioned but which I am sure has directed the choice of thieves on at least one occasion that I know of and that is having automatic pedals, double-sided and without platforms. in the case I am thinking of in fact they were usable with ordinary shoes because they were Look free arc pedals that had a built-in platform but it was enough to probably point the thieves in the direction of my hideous Raleigh mbso and my neighbour's mixte frame utility bike with it's 5s gears and dt friction shifter (value near zero, except that it was his only work transport!).
If I wanted to go a bit further it would be my Micro Look pedals that are crap and for which the cleats are no longer available. Of course it wouldn't sway the decision of a professional but it would help to dissuade a casual thief.
The real pro will have your pride and joy even if it is safely locked away inside at home or in a garage (given the price and portability of certain folders this is quite a consideration; portability cuts both ways!).
-
Mudguards, rack, some road scuzz (I never knowingly cleaned it), and having a small frame bike have probably been effective.
I figure, without having any evidence but this is the internet, that there are three types of thieves. The amateur opportunists who just see a random bike that they like and have the means to take it, or the more professional types who will either target high-value bikes or simple rely on bulk. A friend of mine lost her Halfords piece-of-shit (which tbh, she was happy about, it had unresolvable gear commitment issues, and the handlebars worked loose every other day). That wasn't stolen purposefully, it only cost about £90 and wasn't close to being worth that. It was born for the back of the garage.
She did get that back*, and it was a bulk theft, there was a house up the road whose garden was filled with bicycles. The best way for bikes not to get nicked, of course, would be for people to stop buying stolen bikes.
*no initial thanks to the Met, who first raid was foiled by the fact the miscreant didn't answer the door when they politely knocked.
What's the third type?
Sorry, individual opportunists, selective professionals (stealing high value bikes), and bulk-stealing professionals (emptying racks into the back of their van).
I'm not sure about the clipless pedals, it's not unusual to see such equipped bikes in London being ridden, if somewhat awkwardly, by people without the requisite footwear.
-
I'm not sure about the clipless pedals, it's not unusual to see such equipped bikes in London being ridden, if somewhat awkwardly, by people without the requisite footwear.
Indeed. I'm sure we've all had reason to ride a bike without the right shoes on occasion, and while it's far from confidence-inspiring, it's usually okay for "Can I have a go mate?" purposes or riding round the block to see if your latest fettling attempt has been successful. I don't see why it wouldn't be perfectly sufficient to get a bit of distance from the scene of the crime.
Also, I note that non-cyclists are often completely unaware of the concept of clipless pedals, as evidenced by the not-uncommon remarks that the pedals on my recumbent are "a bit small". I'm sure that many of the opportunist thieves are similarly ignorant.
-
A friend had his brakeless track bike stolen and found it abandoned a short distance away, which he attributes to the thief being unable to ride it.
-
How about removable pedals like MKS, would thieves notice the lack of pedals before they nicked it?
-
I was thinking about purchasing a Tracker and installing it inside the frame via the B/B. Surprised it hasnt been mentioned (yet). Has anyone tried one?
-
Does anyone do the name and address card stuffed up the handlebar end (other than me) ?
-
I was thinking about purchasing a Tracker and installing it inside the frame via the B/B. Surprised it hasnt been mentioned (yet). Has anyone tried one?
Nope. I think that business model suffers from the "It won't happen to me" effect.
-
How about removable pedals like MKS, would thieves notice the lack of pedals before they nicked it?
They'd probably notice when they tried to ride off on it, at least. Assuming of course they weren't just going to chuck it in the back of a van.
-
Does anyone do the name and address card stuffed up the handlebar end (other than me) ?
I wrap my name and address around the bottom bracket cartridge when I've had reason to remove it. Same principle.
-
Remember Charlotte and Julian's Sekrit Bunkrr was raided while they were away? Their bikes were found in the hands of an LBS where they were being done up for sale. So name and address in the frame is a bit like saying "More nice stuff at this address."
-
The 'operation' near us was selling them in bulk to markets and bike shops (and I can only assume they knew full well what they were buying). They didn't care what they were stealing. Everything from Halford's specials through little kids' bikes to a tandem. Apparently, they were collecting them in the garden until they had enough to fill a Luton van. The little scrote and his delightful friends had emptied our bike shed (my bike was in our shed). I wouldn't mind, but you could see the stuff he'd nicked by peering over the fence.
Unfortunately for him, he nicked my neighbour's kids' bikes. Our neighbour was about seven feet tall and evidently made a persuasive argument for the return of the contents of our bike shed.
The Met finally stopped knocking and raided the house less politely. I'm not sure much happened to the thief, other than he disappeared. His parents, who had failed to notice forty bikes in the back garden (or the pile of sawn-off DVLC clamps), were apparently prison officers.
-
I wrap my name and address around the bottom bracket cartridge when I've had reason to remove it. Same principle.
How do you do the label? I've been planning to do this on the next BB service.
I was thinking about purchasing a Tracker and installing it inside the frame via the B/B. Surprised it hasnt been mentioned (yet). Has anyone tried one?
The problem with a tracker, is that unless your bike is made of Bamboo, it's basically a Faraday cage... Then you have to remember to keep it charged.
I've been thinking about adding a tracker, but have yet to work out a good way to do so.
J
-
I wrap my name and address around the bottom bracket cartridge when I've had reason to remove it. Same principle.
How do you do the label? I've been planning to do this on the next BB service.
Laser printed paper sandwiched between two layers of weatherproof transparent (think one step down from 'helicopter') tape. It's what I had to hand that seemed least likely to turn into an unreadable mess when wet.
Laminated label printer tape (the outdoor-rated stuff) would be even better.
Cudzo's point is an interesting one. I suppose it comes down to whether the bike gets sold on as-is (in which case being able to prove ownership is potentially useful) or stripped for parts. I doubt anyone's going to remove a bottom bracket unless they really need to, though, where a bar-end is likely to come off to remove the controls. Of course, you could just put a phone number or email address or something that doesn't identify a physical location.
To the one-up-from-opportunist crim, having stolen something is surely advertisement enough for more goods at the same address, as long as you wait long enough for insurance to do its thing. We're damned if we do, damned if we don't.
-
To the one-up-from-opportunist crim, having stolen something is surely advertisement enough for more goods at the same address, as long as you wait long enough for insurance to do its thing. We're damned if we do, damned if we don't.
But if they've stolen it off the street, they don't that address. Even if they've stolen it from a Sekrit Bunker, they don't necessarily know the address of the associated dwelling.
Of course, you could just put a phone number or email address or something that doesn't identify a physical location.
Seems to do the job on both counts. :thumbsup:
-
Also, how effective do people think those "Bike Register" and similar stickers are?
-
Also, how effective do people think those "Bike Register" and similar stickers are?
They're (along with the associated frame marking) worth the price I paid for them.
-
Also, how effective do people think those "Bike Register" and similar stickers are?
You do occasionally get the bike back if the police stumble on a garden full of them. I'm not sure they stop people nicking them, otherwise they wouldn't be piled up in someone's back garden in the first place.
-
Hang the buggers by the short and curlies over the city gate until the crows have picked out their vitals. Doesn't deter them much of course but it does at least provide a bit of sadistic relief to the long suffering cyclist! Bicycle theft, one of those crimes for which I would willingly bring back capital punishment :demon: :demon:
-
A friend had his brakeless track bike stolen and found it abandoned a short distance away, which he attributes to the thief being unable to ride it.
Stop me if I've told you this story before... in the 1980s I was working as a cycle courier, in the days when everyone rode an "ATB" and hipster fixed riders were not yet a thing. I was in Leicester Sq waiting for the next job, chatting to another rider and some little scrote walked up and was looking at the other rider's bike. When I pointed this out, he calmly said "wait, and watch". The scrote jumped on the bike, got halfway across the square, failed to find the brakes, tried to stop pedalling and found himself thrown to the ground in an embarrassing heap. The guy wandered over, picked up his bike while the scrote shouted "You fahkking keep it mate, it's a fahkking deff-trap, I ortta fahkking sue you!"
-
How about removable pedals like MKS, would thieves notice the lack of pedals before they nicked it?
Once parts are missing from a bike the vultures start circling.
-
I always try and keep my bike within eyesight and dont always lock it if I can see it. That is not always possible though.
I was in a cafe at one time and a plain white van pulled up right next to where my bike was. The driver got out and opened the side loading door. I was expecting my (locked) bike to be loaded into the van and although I could have quickly got outside to rescue my bike, I just wrote the number plate down on a piece of paper instead. In the end though, the driver just walked away from my bike and all was well. Thankfully I am lucky enough to know someone who has direct access to the DVLA database so a quick phone call can soon get me the information I need to trace any vehicle and has been useful more than once in the past.
-
How about removable pedals like MKS, would thieves notice the lack of pedals before they nicked it?
Once parts are missing from a bike the vultures start circling.
Indeed, you've essentially made a declaration of spare parts. Same for removing a seat. You'll come back to find a locked frame and a sad coil of oily chain.
-
A friend had his brakeless track bike stolen and found it abandoned a short distance away, which he attributes to the thief being unable to ride it.
I vaguely recall reading a story somewhere (LFGSS?) about a courier leaving his brakeless track bike unattended while dropping off a package. Came back out to see a scrote trying to ride it away and falling off, injuring himself quite badly. Or maybe the scrote was already lying injured on the roadside, the bike on the ground next to him.
-
Didn't work when my fixie was nicked (& it was fairly rusty), it stayed nicked.
fixed gear
only a front brake (aka street legal)
:'(
-
Quite often they simply cut or grind off the locks and chuck them in a van. They're not riding them.
-
Didn't work when my fixie was nicked (& it was fairly rusty), it stayed nicked.
fixed gear
only a front brake (aka street legal)
:'(
Yeah, fixed is pretty normal nowadays, but in the 80s was very rarely seen outside of the track and a few niche riders.
-
Didn't work when my fixie was nicked (& it was fairly rusty), it stayed nicked.
fixed gear
only a front brake (aka street legal)
:'(
Yeah, fixed is pretty normal nowadays, but in the 80s was very rarely seen outside of the track and a few niche riders.
Before hipsters* were invented.
*Not the clothing ::-)
-
Ah yes, the good old days when bikes had lollipops and trousers came all the way up to your waist.
-
Ah yes, the good old days when bikes had lollipops and trousers came all the way up to your you had a waist.
FTFY
-
Didn't work when my fixie was nicked (& it was fairly rusty), it stayed nicked.
fixed gear
only a front brake (aka street legal)
:'(
Yeah, fixed is pretty normal nowadays, but in the 80s was very rarely seen outside of the track and a few niche riders.
Youngster! Many of us rode fixed gear winter bikes in the 60s into the 70s.
-
I was thinking about purchasing a Tracker and installing it inside the frame via the B/B. Surprised it hasnt been mentioned (yet). Has anyone tried one?
Nope. I think that business model suffers from the "It won't happen to me" effect.
I had one about 20 years ago, but it didn't stop my bike being stolen or aid in its recovery. £70 wasted IMO.
-
Anyone tried the bike alarms, which go off when the bike is moved, and/or send a text message?
-
Feline has or had one.
-
If I had somewhere for the resulting luggage, I’d swap my saddle when parked for a nice spongy one.
Saturated with chilli oil.
Maybe with added fish hooks.
Could work on either the opportunist or as a deterrent to buying stolen bikes.
I do have a (not the flimsiest) cable lock as my second on the two tools basis. I’m suspicious of the lockless cable on a D lock approach, as the cable adds nothing once the D is broken.
My only other suggestion is the card access store or on-platform racks at the station. There’s some tailgating, but coupled with cctv has to be a riskier proposition for the thief than other racks. Worked for my commuter, but not so convenient most of the time.
-
I do have a (not the flimsiest) cable lock as my second on the two tools basis. I’m suspicious of the lockless cable on a D lock approach, as the cable adds nothing once the D is broken.
I do this when popping to the shops, as it's low-risk, quick and easy. I consider it primarily a measure to prevent the bike falling over, rather than providing additional security, but I do have security skewers on the wheels.
-
I think there's a lot to be said for uglifying a bike, to make it hard (for a thief) to sell. Those 'rust' stickers (http://www.dominicwilcox.com/stickers.html) are a great idea. I've heard of people pinkinfying a bike. I'd like to try creating a rust-effect paint finish. Other uglification methods (https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/54521/how-can-i-reversibly-uglify-a-bike) are available.
If you don't want to uglify your favourite bike, you could keep a Station Bike: inexpensive, terrible looking and just good enough to get you to and from the train station (or other bike theft hotspot).
-
A friend had his brakeless track bike stolen and found it abandoned a short distance away, which he attributes to the thief being unable to ride it.
I vaguely recall reading a story somewhere (LFGSS?) about a courier leaving his brakeless track bike unattended while dropping off a package. Came back out to see a scrote trying to ride it away and falling off, injuring himself quite badly. Or maybe the scrote was already lying injured on the roadside, the bike on the ground next to him.
The first time my Pompino was nicked I found it in a shop a week later. Apparently the mechanic was at that moment in hospital due to a finger - fixed chainring mashup.
-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54695188
Detectives and noxious locks take on bike thieves
-
Yeah, fixed is pretty normal nowadays, but in the 80s was very rarely seen outside of the track and a few niche riders.
Youngster! Many of us rode fixed gear winter bikes in the 60s into the 70s.
Yes, but we were part of a minority of club cyclists, and we weren't stealing each others' bikes. There was a time when you felt that you had a decent chance that a fixed-wheel bike would catch out any thief who might try to ride off on it.
-
I think there's a lot to be said for uglifying a bike, to make it hard (for a thief) to sell. Those 'rust' stickers (http://www.dominicwilcox.com/stickers.html) are a great idea. I've heard of people pinkinfying a bike. I'd like to try creating a rust-effect paint finish. Other uglification methods (https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/54521/how-can-i-reversibly-uglify-a-bike) are available.
If you don't want to uglify your favourite bike, you could keep a Station Bike: inexpensive, terrible looking and just good enough to get you to and from the train station (or other bike theft hotspot).
Just bought some of those 'rust & scratch stickers' to try as an additional measure - on an about town bike. :)
EDIT. Update it seems that DW website is no longer 'active' & there are no stickers available.