Miniaturised trackers have become a cost effective way to keep of personal items – including bicycles. While most users might attach their Apple Airtag or Tile tracking device to a key chain, there are accessories that you to attach them discreetly to a bicycle. In the event that the bike is stolen, it can be tracked via an app.
Without GPS trackers it’s almost impossible to detect bicycle theft, which is why the police give so little priority to the crime. That’s the conclusion of ANWB, The Dutch Touring Club, following two years of providing its cycle insurance policy holders with GPS trackers.
According to the cycle insurer, thieves often put the stolen bikes into storage incase they are equipped with tracking technology. However, this hasn’t stopped six out of ten stolen bicycles being recovered over the last two years.
Cycle theft is a low priority for police because it’s a crime that’s hard to solve
The trackers are attached to the bicycles with an industrial adhesive and intended to be highly visible. According to ANWB, which has has around 60,000 bicycles now equipped with a tracker: “The bicycles are not attractive to the casual thief.”
Working closely with a security firm, when the insurer locates a stolen bicycle and the frame number tallies, the bike is seized on the spot and returned to its owner. If the bicycle is on private property, the police are called in.
For the moment here in the UK, trackers don’t make a good cycle insurance redundant – as well as the thorny issue of recovering the bike from the thief, a good policy protects against accidental damage, theft of parts and includes third party cover.
Win an Apple AirTag and bike mount kit
We have an Apple AirTag and bike mount kit to give away. The mounting kit fits standard 64mm bottle cage holes, but the anti-shake and water-repellant design can also be hidden away underneath the seat.
To be in with a chance of winning the AirTag, simply leave us a message at the bottom of the page and we’ll pick a winner next week.
The bike mount allows you to mount your AirTag securely and discreetly
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Mark
Looks a good idea. Thanks
Jane Hellier
Even if I found my bike I’m not sure I’d be confident enough to tackle the thieves 😏
Stephen Conrad
I need one- great idea. Just recovered my lost iPhone so it is a very useful security tool.
Julian caine
I’d love a tag as I’ve got an electric bike and I’m worried all the time it might get stolen.
Jane
Even if I found my bike I’m not sure I’d be confident enough to tackle the thieves 😏
Alistair Leith
Looks good
Jill
A good idea. I’d be so lost without my bike
Jane
really good idea! thanks
John R
Now that looks like a brilliant security device; one that I would love to have for my bike.
Rhoda Wolf
Great idea
Rhoda Wolf
Great looking product
Sue Beattie
Brilliant idea, and would be good for my mobility scooter as well, since securing them is not easy.
Craig
Pick me!
Gavin
Am interested!
Rachel
Great idea, have been thinking I need something like this after two stolen bikes! 😔
Mags
But do you need an Apple account with a monthly charge to use this, I wonder?
Rose
Essential bit of kit for every cyclist! I’d love to have one.
Bill
An excellent idea which should be an effective deterrent as well as a great way to find stolen property.
Steve
Don’t pick me!
Bev
Great idea! It would be great that all new bikes were fitted as standard with this device. I would love this. ETA are a great company and protect the interests of cyclists. Thank you!
Conor K
Great idea – the mount is pretty vital for preventing quick removal.
BIKEPACKING BEEVERS
Brilliant idea — think the jury is still out on how effecient — but count me for a freebie to try if lucky
Matt
I’d love one please! Thanks, Matt 😀
Steve Warne
What a great idea, anything that helps reunite people with their property has to be good.
Iain G
Making it visible was something I had not considered.
Clive
Great idea
Ali Wight
Not just bikes getting stolen mobility scooters as well
Jonathan M
Great for tracking a stolen bike. Also, if I end up in a ditch, my wife can find me and my bike and decide which to bring back home!
Paul Long
You can trust Apple technology
Richard Green
Have suffered bicycle theft more than once so what a great idea this is, especially as the tags are very discreet so can be hidden on the bike itself.
Doug M
As I understand it, you need an Apple device to set up an Apple AirTag, but you can track one using an Android App. Not being an Apple fan, except for a few delicious eating varieties (!), I ‘ll give this one a miss.
Pete
I was very well looked-after by ETA when someone cut my lock and made off with my bike a few years ago. A tracker could have satisfied my puzzling over where on earth it ended up!
Jon Sparks
Great idea!
David Gray
At least you can use an Android app. I would hate to have to have an iPhone!
Federico Andornino
Love this idea!
Antony Blair
Nice design
Peter g
Sensible idea
Yasmin Gregory
Excellent and simple solution! It’s the inconvenience of having to find an alternative mode of transport if you use your bike for commuting. It’s disappointing that the police are not able to be more supportive but it’s a solution. I bought one for my partner.
Judith A Rout
Interesting that making them very visible acts as a deterrent. They sound good
Huw Williams
Great idea, especially after the Richmond Park attacks
Bill Day
Sounds exactly what I need. My current device runs out of power after 5 days!
Rob Hine
Good idea! My son needs one for his brand new bike!
Simon Bailey
What a great. Well done the inventor. Good luck to everyone in the competition
Peter Clark
I have one of these on my key ring. A gift at Christmas. Brilliant device and I’d love one on my bike. And my wallet. And my backpack…
Geoff
What a “FanTAGstic” idea
Roger Wood
These are a brilliant idea and help the police track down missing bikes and (hopefully) convict thieves.
Jennie Parsons
Really good idea especially for Cambridge the cycle theft capital of the UK !
Jonathan Hunt
Great tech – nice and simple and I can think of good places to hide it. I’d love to get the chance.
Martyn
Will this work with my (original) Nokia 3310? If not, I’ll have to buy a new phone if I win this
james
tag would help
Brian D
Just what I need.
Paul M
Making tracks with a tracker attached is a great idea! Yes please!
Rob Rimell
Great idea – yes please!
Tim Hogan
Yes please; excellent idea 😁
Graham Lingley
Love one thanks. I promise not to stalk anyone with it! 😀
Fiona McLuckie
I’ve had two bikes stolen and never recovered so this would be very useful indeed
David
For anyone who has trudged along to the nearest (open) police station to report the theft of their cherished bike, only to be met by a member of staff who obviously intends to do no more than issue a crime number, tracking devices have to be the way forward. With a shed full of the families’ prized bicycles, please do sign me up.
Craig Todd
Digital tracking for bikes is a great idea.
Steve Curtis
Great security device for expensive bikes.
Nathaniel R
After my past 2 bikes being stolen and the police doing nothing about it, this would make me feel much better
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
Gosh, what a brilliant idea!
Gillian
Great prize, thanks eta.
Gill
Dave Brabants
Seems like a “no-brainer” I was just about to buy one for my keys – getting one for my bike too would be even better.
Clive Probert
Good use of technology.
Janet
That looks like a great idea.
Vincent
Yes please. If I point out your email, advertising this giveaway, needs proof reading will that decrease my chances?
KathyC
We had our bikes stolen recently locked on our car bike rack. Great loss so would love a tracker to protect my new bike.
T
Comment.
james
Looks a great addition to the bike
Kelly smith
Great innovative idea, hope the idea takes off
Richard
Yes please, might even help police take bike theft more seriously.
Peter Chisnall
Excellent product.
Huw Thomas
Very welcome, Highest number of cycle thefts in UK here.
Philip Woodford
Another good article thanks 🙏
Anthony Powell
Great if you’ve got the kit to host the app – I’ll stick to a bike lock
Chris Bromwich
don’t have an apple phone but have family that could make good use of it.
Pamela
Wow, yet another gadjet, but this could be really useful.
Steve Green
Great idea! One would be really useful.
CraigSA
Anything to help with security an only be a good thing
Rachel
Great idea, have been thinking I need something like this after two stolen bikes! 😔
Ashley Webb
Now that I’ve retired, I think I’ll need one to find where I have parked the bike!
Kate
Great Prize!
Jonathan Darby
I like the idea but it really does need to be concealed in the frame – and sufficiently accessible for the battery to be changed when required. Also the frame tubing might act as a shield and limit the AirTag’s range.
Mark B
Great idea. I’d love to add this to my bike.
Andrew
Great idea to help recover a stolen bike.
Alastair Seagroatt
Love to try one of these, it would also show my loved one were my bike is – useful for safety.
Stephen D.
Anything which makes life tougher for bike thieves sounds good to me! Nice gadget.
JohnB
Oh yes, one of these would be cool addition!
wesley
A free tracker sounds like a steal.
PeterG
A great way of tracking my pride and joy. I want one!
Bill
Have already had two bikes stolen in London (and not recovered), so anything that might help would be most useful.
Stephen Gosney
Anything that can help to protect my expensive Trek bike will be most welcome.
Phil G
Nice Job(s).
Chas Patat
I have been looking at these for a while. After a good lock and common sense they must be a useful security/recovery device.
John V
What a fantastic prize to win with all the bikes that get stolen nowadays brilliant idea
Bruce
I love the idea of an insurer’s tag on each of my bikes and this is a great solution until tracking becomes more common.
John H
The AirTag idea is great
(And hopefully is not here too late)
Stick one on your bike
Or maybe your trike
And when you get it back – celebrate!
Nigel Cole
Looks like a really good idea
Graham Corfield
This is a super product and one which would be great for my bike!! Fingers crossed now!!
Mark
Stalking my own bike seems like a very good idea!!
🚲
Gregory Carpenter
Thank you for so many useful comments and suggested products that help to keep me on the road well into retirement.
Gregory Carpenter
Thank you again for supporting my cycling not only with insurance, but also with advice.
Christopher
Deterrent against the casual thief. Sounds good having the airtag mounted in the open for that.
Here’s another idea, what about a bottle cage that also mounts or even hides the airtag? Then we won’t have to sacrifice storage of one bottle just for mounting an airtag.
David Anthony
Nice and discreet, at least a fighting chance of recovery!
Colin
These small trackers could be a game changer for our bikes and our fight against the bad guys.
Craig
I love the idea of a tracker on my bike but wouldn’t it be better to hide it inside the frame? I understand that mounting it externally may act as a deterrent, but doesn’t that make them easy to just remove?
Anthony
Useless to track a stolen device as it notifies the thief he’s being tracked if he has an apple device (or android with the track app)
Nicola
Great Idea – people are using these in Cambridge. Bike theft is a massive problem here.
Vicki Soul
Oh wow this would be so useful! I would love one ❤️
Clive Jones
They should staple these to the intimate body parts of convicted cycle thrives, as I suspect they rarely stop when caught, so tracking their whereabouts would save more bikes.
john
really useful device – already have one for my keys
Mike Langley
Oh where did I leave my bike?
Damian Connaughton
Would love one of these to keep my bike safe!
RJ
Good idea and great way to protect your steed. 👍
Sara
Having had my bike stolen recently this would’ve been so useful 🙁 Would love to put this on my other bike 🙂
Michael White
Love one and it would be good to see how it fits under the saddle.
Mark
Really helpful! This is a brilliant idea, what I’ve been looking for!
myron tytko
I love air tags and would be delighted to win this proze
Paul
As a bonus (for my partner) she gets to track me! lol