High bike crime rates make home insurance for cyclists more important, the firm has suggested.
Cyclists should take better precautions in order to ensure that their bikes are not targeted by thieves, Halifax Home Insurance said today.
According to Halifax, bike crime rates currently run so high in the UK that one is stolen every 65 seconds, on average: meaning that more riders should look to cover their bikes under their existing home contents insurance policies. Research from the home insurance firm also found that London is the nation's number-one bike theft hotspot.
The firm's comments were made in the run-up to National Bike Week, which starts next Monday. The event's organisers are aiming to get as many Britons as possible to "swap four wheels for two" across the seven days, in order to promote the benefits of travelling by bike.
Head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, David Rochester, said: "One bicycle theft every 65 seconds is shocking. While cycling has many benefits for people's health and also the environment, it is important that people take adequate measures to protect their cycles and also make sure they are insured, both in the home and also when out in public places."
The firm also released tips and hints for cyclists today, in order to help them beat the thieves. Making use of specially-installed bike racks, using a hardened steel U-lock, registering the bike with an ownership agency and keeping a copy of its serial number in a safe place all came highly recommended.
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