TODAY is Cycle To Work Day, when the nation is urged to get on its bike.
The average person spends £37,000 commuting in their lifetime, so you can pedal your way to savings as well as helping the planet.
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But with bike theft on the rise, David George, boss of specialist cycling insurer Bikmo, has this advice:
WATCH WHAT YOU LOCK YOUR BIKE TO: It’s common sense to lock your bike to an immovable object such as lamp posts, railings (where legal) and bike racks.
But often people don’t consider what they are locking their bike to.
Don’t secure your bike to wire fencing or weak railings that can be cut or pulled apart, or to anything it can be lifted off.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Find a busy, well-lit location, ideally with CCTV coverage.
Avoid hidden-away places that would give thieves time to work unnoticed.
Check the condition of other bikes in the area. If there are parts missing, it’s a hotspot for thieves.
DON’T LOCK IT BY THE WHEEL: A common mistake that leads to a lot of thefts is to lock a bike through the wheels or rear wheel only.
Most bikes these days have quick-release wheels, so opportunistic thieves can simply remove the rest of your bike.
Unfortunately, the theft wouldn’t be covered under your insurance policy if your bike was only locked by a wheel.
USE THE INDUSTRY STANDARD: One of the best ways of making life difficult for a bike thief is using a Sold Secure-approved lock.
Sold Secure is considered the industry standard for lock and security system testing.
Formed by Northumbria and Essex Police, and now owned by the Master Locksmith Association, it is great for impartial advice if you need it.
USE OUR BIKE THEFT HEAT MAP: It is impossible to stop every bike theft, but the goal is to make it as awkward as possible for thieves.
If your locks look difficult to break and the location has high visibility, it is already off-putting to a thief.
Earlier this year, we created a free Bike Theft Heatmap (bike-theft-map.bikmo.com), allowing members of the public to view hotspots for cycle theft within their local area — and steer clear.
Deal of the day
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SCENT-SATIONAL offers are on at Boots including the Versace Woman Eau de Parfum 50ml for £16, down from £46.
SAVE: £30
Cheap treat
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DO-NUT miss new Jaffa Jonuts, on sale at The Co-op.
Usually £2.30 for four but now £2 until August 24.
SAVE: 30p
Top swap
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SERVE up a platter with the Natural Elements chopping and serving board, now £18.05 at wayfair.co.uk.
Or head to Lidl, which has this near identical one for just £5.99 from today.
SAVE: £12.06
Top tips
GRAB lunch at Caffe Nero and you can take advantage of its new Summer Menu loyalty card.
Stamps will be awarded via its app when you buy food from the Summer Menu, with nine stamps entitling you to a free item.
Enjoy new treats such as the brie & smoked chilli jam focaccia or the raspberry & white chocolate chouxnut.
Giselle’s little helper
INVITE your mates to see The Suicide Squad at a Showcase Cinema and save big.
Four adults can see the new flick for just £25, so each ticket is only £6.25.
For more info, see showcasecinemas.co.uk/events/the-big-screen-is-back.
Shop and save
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BREKKIE treats don’t come better than Weetabix Crispy Minis Chocolate Chip.
Usually £2.98 per box, get two for £4 at Asda.
SAVE: £1.96
Hot right now
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NOT just for sofas!
The DFS sale has great offers on dining tables.
The £899 Helmsley set of chairs, table and bench is now just £799.
Play now to win £100 on The Sun Raffle
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
To take part go to sunsavers.co.uk or open the Sun Savers app.
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