'You have to try and switch off that risk-averse part of your mind and just go for it'

According to the Bicycle Association's latest report, sales volumes are projected to reach 165,000 units this year, representing a 13% increase from 2024's 146,000 units.

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"Bike value is going up a lot too," Prof Barron said.

“The average e-bike value now in the UK is in the thousands.

“According to our own research, 3% of thefts result in any kind of action. The first estimates I've had of the scale of the problem currently in the UK is that up to 500,000 bikes a year are stolen and around 100,000 motorcycles a year are stolen. There are only 100,000 motorcycles a year registered in the UK, so this issue is really huge now.

“The locks are more expensive than the average, definitely, but it’s not putting people off. I think people are so sick of getting their bikes stolen they're deciding to go straight to the top rather than skimping on it.

“It’s that price because it’s expensive to make this stuff. We started this in 2013 and weren't profitable until 2022. There has been a lot of trial and error. Probably around 90% of what I've created hasn’t gone anywhere, and that’s the life of an inventor. I learned that pretty early on.