PUTTING THE BRAKES ON BIKE THEFT
A MULTI-AGENCY DELIVERY OF A SECURE CYCLING CITY

A cycling and security seminar presented by Transport for London’s Cycle Centre for Excellence (CCE) in association with the Design Against Crime Research Centre (DACRC) and the London Bicycle Film Festival 2008 (LBFF).

The seminar is of interest to professionals responsible for delivery of design provision, management and policy for public space and cycling infrastructure. The seminar seeks to promote a multi-agency approach to tackling the issue of cycle theft and promotion of cycle use and enjoyment of the public realm.

This multi-agency approach – which has drawn upon design to help make a difference - has been seen to be effective at cycle theft reduction in recent years and has contributed to the increases in cycle use in London as illustrated below.

Between 2000 and 2003 increases in cycle theft exceeded increase in cycle use. Between 2003 and 2005 there was some improvement, increases in cycle use matched increases in cycle theft. This period saw the implementation of multiple cycle theft reduction initiatives by various agencies including, Transport for London’s Cycle Centre for Excellence and the Design Against Crime Research Centre’s Bikeoff project. In 2005 the Home Office nominated cycle theft as a ‘comparator crime’ forcing the issue onto the Police agenda and promoting multi-agency responses to cycle theft. During this time cycle use has exceeded cycle theft in London.

These figures show this multi agency approach to be effective. The Bikeoff research initiative has collating and evaluating these activities. This research often delivered in collaboration with TfL’s CCE, and the street management and transport teams of several of London’s Boroughs has been brought together to create tools and resources to facilitate multi-stakeholder communication, collaboration and evaluation in relation to delivery of cycle theft reduction and cycling infrastructure provision specifically:

•    Resources for designers and providers of cycling infrastructure that enable practitioners to ‘get smart quick’ about cycle

     security and identify best practice in relation to design and delivery.
•    Secure cycle parking guidelines developed by stakeholders for practitioners.
•    A problem oriented policing guide identifying and evaluating responses to cycle theft from crime prevention

     practitioners around the world, including London. This online guide is available free online and gives

     recommendations on how to address the problem according to local context.
•    Interactive online video map showing short films reviewing cycle parking provision London-wide, giving the opinions

     and objectives of facility providers, designers and users – essential viewing for anyone involved in the provision of

     secure cycle parking.