Cycle theft City riders suffer the nation's highest levels of bike crime

CYCLISTS in Bristol experience the highest level of bike crime in the UK, with 82 per cent having fallen victim to bike theft, according to new data.

- Estel FARELL-ROIG

The figure comes from a nationwide survey conducted by Novuna, a personal finance company, which found that Bristol had the highest percentage of cyclists affected by bike theft.

According to the survey, half of these thefts occur in public spaces, while 30 per cent take place on private property.

Across the UK, the total estimated cost of stolen bikes adds up to around £2.4 billion.

Official figures from Avon and Somerset Police reveal a 10 per cent rise in reported bike thefts in Bristol, increasing from 1,248 in 2023 to 1,367 in 2024.

However, this is still below the peak recorded in 2020, when 1,773 bikes were reported stolen.

Maddie West had her bike stolen in early April from outside Bristol's Magistrates' Court, on Marlborough Street.

The bike had been securely chained in a public rack alongside several others.

"There were so many other bikes there I thought it would be fine," said Ms West.