Top 5 Places Thieves Target (And How to Stop Them in 2026)
Bike theft is up 7% nationwide (NICB 2025), with urban and trailhead spots hit hardest. Here are the top 5 places thieves love — and how to protect your ride.
Coffee Shop / Quick-Stop Racks (60% of thefts) Thieves use bolt cutters or snips in under 30 seconds. Fix: Use a lightweight Cinch Lock (OTTOLOCK Original) — fast to deploy, frame-safe, and deters opportunity theft.
Trailhead Parking Lots (15–20%) Bikes on car racks are easy targets when you’re hiking. Fix: Sidekick U-Lock + Cinch combo — secure both bike and rack.
Apartment Bike Rooms (10–15%) Shared spaces with poor lighting or locks. Fix: Cinch or Sidekick — quick to use daily, tough enough for overnight.
Campus Bike Racks (8–10%) High turnover, low security. Fix: Portable Cinch — easy to carry to class.
Home Garage (Unlocked) (5–10%) Thieves enter open garages. Fix: Cinch for quick indoor locking.
The Bottom Line Most thefts are opportunity crimes — deter them with the right lock and technique. OTTOLOCK’s Cinch and Sidekick series are built for real riders: lightweight, fast, and effective.
Not sure which one fits? Take our 60-second quiz .
Secure your ride — because the best lock is the one you use.