GITNUXREPORT 2026

Bike Theft Statistics

Bike theft is a global and costly crime affecting millions each year.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

65% of stolen bikes belong to men aged 25-44 in the UK

Statistic 2

Women are 40% more likely to have high-end bikes stolen in urban areas

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Students account for 35% of bike theft victims in university towns

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70% of thieves are male under 30 in London

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Commuters lose 25% of stolen bikes vs leisure riders' 15%

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Low-income areas see 2x bike theft rates for residents under 18

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55% of US victims are aged 18-34

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Families with children report 20% fewer thefts due to home storage

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Professional cyclists (road racers) have 5% theft rate vs 2% casual

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Immigrants in EU cities are 1.5x more likely to be victims

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Elderly over 65 represent only 8% of victims despite 20% ownership

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Solo riders vs groups: 60% higher theft risk alone

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52% of UK theft victims are under 35 years old

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Thieves aged 18-24 commit 45% of bike thefts in Germany

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Rural vs urban: urban thefts 10x higher per bike owned

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Australia: 60% victims male, 40% female

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75% of victims in Netherlands are daily commuters

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Females 18-24 have highest per capita theft rate in US cities

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Organized crime involved in 20% of high-value bike thefts EU

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62% of UK students affected by bike theft

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Professional thieves use vans in 15% of cases

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The average value of a stolen bike in the UK is £500

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US stolen bikes total $500 million in losses annually

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Only 5% of stolen bikes are recovered worldwide

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UK insurance payouts for bike theft reached £50 million in 2022

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Netherlands recovers 10% of stolen bikes via registries

Statistic 27

E-bike theft costs average €2,000 per incident in Europe

Statistic 28

London bike theft economic loss: £100 million yearly

Statistic 29

Second-hand market for stolen bikes generates $1 billion globally

Statistic 30

Recovery rate in Portland is 3% with GPS trackers rising to 20%

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Average US stolen bike value $1,200

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Bike theft leads to 40% of victims quitting cycling, costing health £200m in UK

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Insurance premiums rose 15% due to bike theft claims in 2022 EU

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Stolen bikes cost NYC $12 million in 2022

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Only 2% recovery without registration in UK

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Average stolen bike repair/replace cost £450 in London

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Global black market bike trade $2-5 billion annually

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Copenhagen recovery rate 15% with city bike programs

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Victims with insurance recover 25% more often

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Bike theft clearance rate 4% in US nationally

Statistic 41

Economic loss per stolen bike in Germany €800 average

Statistic 42

London, UK had 18,562 bike thefts in 2022

Statistic 43

New York City reported 10,847 bike thefts in 2022

Statistic 44

Portland, Oregon sees 4,500 bike thefts annually

Statistic 45

Cambridge, UK has the highest per capita bike theft rate in the UK at 1,200 per 100,000

Statistic 46

Amsterdam experiences 50,000 bike thefts per year

Statistic 47

Berlin, Germany recorded 25,000 bike thefts in 2022

Statistic 48

Paris, France had 12,000 reported bike thefts in 2022

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San Francisco reported 3,200 bike thefts in 2022

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Melbourne, Australia sees 5,000 bike thefts yearly

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Vancouver, Canada had 2,800 bike thefts in 2022

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Tokyo reports 15,000 bike thefts annually

Statistic 53

Oxford, UK theft rate is 1 in 47 bikes stolen yearly

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Bike thefts in Manchester UK: 4,500 in 2022

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Seattle WA reported 2,100 bike thefts in 2022

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Dublin Ireland: 3,000 bike thefts yearly average

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Stockholm Sweden: 7,500 bike thefts in 2022

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Barcelona Spain: 6,000 bike thefts in 2022

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Vienna Austria reports 4,000 annual bike thefts

Statistic 60

Helsinki Finland: 2,500 bike thefts yearly

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Chicago IL: 5,000 bike thefts in 2022

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Brighton UK: 1,800 bike thefts yearly

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Zurich Switzerland: 3,200 bike thefts in 2022

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Toronto Canada: 4,000 bike thefts in 2022

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Brussels Belgium: 5,500 bike thefts yearly

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Milan Italy: 4,200 bike thefts in 2022

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Sydney Australia: 3,500 bike thefts in 2022

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Bologna Italy: 2,000 bike thefts yearly

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Oslo thefts concentrated in 20% of neighborhoods

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In 2022, the global bicycle theft rate was estimated at 1.5 million bikes stolen annually worldwide

Statistic 71

Approximately 2 bikes are stolen every minute globally according to 2023 estimates

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Bike theft accounts for 18% of all thefts reported in urban areas worldwide

Statistic 73

In Europe, 1 in 5 cyclists has had their bike stolen at least once

Statistic 74

Worldwide, unlocked bikes represent 45% of stolen bicycles

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The UK records over 300,000 bike thefts per year on average

Statistic 76

In the US, about 800,000 bikes are stolen annually

Statistic 77

Australia sees 60,000 bike thefts yearly

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Canada reports 50,000 bicycle thefts per year

Statistic 79

Japan has a bike theft rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents

Statistic 80

In the Netherlands, bikes are stolen at a rate of 785 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022

Statistic 81

Germany recorded 250,000 bike thefts in 2022

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France sees 150,000 annual bike thefts

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Italy reports 100,000 bike thefts yearly

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Spain has 80,000 bike theft incidents per year

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In 2022, Copenhagen had 8,000 bike thefts with 12% recovery rate

Statistic 86

Oslo Norway: theft rate 500 per 100,000

Statistic 87

80% of thieves use bolt cutters in urban thefts

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Global average bike theft per capita 0.2%

Statistic 89

Lock use reduces theft risk by 70% per studies

Statistic 90

Bike thefts in the UK increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022

Statistic 91

US bike thefts rose 12% between 2020 and 2022 post-pandemic

Statistic 92

Netherlands bike thefts decreased 5% from 2019 to 2022 due to better locks

Statistic 93

London saw a 20% spike in bike thefts during 2020 lockdowns

Statistic 94

Germany bike thefts up 10% in 2022 vs 2021

Statistic 95

Australia recorded a 8% increase in bike thefts from 2021-2023

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France bike thefts surged 25% in 2022

Statistic 97

NYC bike thefts doubled from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 98

Portland bike thefts peaked in 2021 at 5,200 before dropping 10%

Statistic 99

UK summer months see 30% more bike thefts than winter

Statistic 100

Global e-bike thefts increased 50% from 2020-2023

Statistic 101

Bike theft reports in Canada fell 7% in 2022 after rising in 2021

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Bike thefts in Edinburgh Scotland up 18% in 2022

Statistic 103

Global bike thefts projected to rise 20% by 2025 with e-bikes

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US bike thefts down 5% in 2023 vs 2022 peak

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Bike thefts in UK peaked in 2018 at 370,000 then fell 10% by 2022

Statistic 106

E-bike thefts in California up 300% since 2019

Statistic 107

Bike thefts down 12% in Amsterdam 2022 vs 2021

Statistic 108

30% increase in bike thefts during Olympics in Paris 2024 forecast

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Sources

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Every minute, two bicycles vanish into thin air, a staggering statistic that fuels a global epidemic of bike theft affecting millions of riders from London to Tokyo.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the global bicycle theft rate was estimated at 1.5 million bikes stolen annually worldwide
Approximately 2 bikes are stolen every minute globally according to 2023 estimates
Bike theft accounts for 18% of all thefts reported in urban areas worldwide
London, UK had 18,562 bike thefts in 2022
New York City reported 10,847 bike thefts in 2022
Portland, Oregon sees 4,500 bike thefts annually
Bike thefts in the UK increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022
US bike thefts rose 12% between 2020 and 2022 post-pandemic
Netherlands bike thefts decreased 5% from 2019 to 2022 due to better locks
65% of stolen bikes belong to men aged 25-44 in the UK
Women are 40% more likely to have high-end bikes stolen in urban areas
Students account for 35% of bike theft victims in university towns
The average value of a stolen bike in the UK is £500
US stolen bikes total $500 million in losses annually
Only 5% of stolen bikes are recovered worldwide

Bike theft is a global and costly crime affecting millions each year.

Demographic Profiles

65% of stolen bikes belong to men aged 25-44 in the UK
Women are 40% more likely to have high-end bikes stolen in urban areas
Students account for 35% of bike theft victims in university towns
70% of thieves are male under 30 in London
Commuters lose 25% of stolen bikes vs leisure riders' 15%
Low-income areas see 2x bike theft rates for residents under 18
55% of US victims are aged 18-34
Families with children report 20% fewer thefts due to home storage
Professional cyclists (road racers) have 5% theft rate vs 2% casual
Immigrants in EU cities are 1.5x more likely to be victims
Elderly over 65 represent only 8% of victims despite 20% ownership
Solo riders vs groups: 60% higher theft risk alone
52% of UK theft victims are under 35 years old
Thieves aged 18-24 commit 45% of bike thefts in Germany
Rural vs urban: urban thefts 10x higher per bike owned
Australia: 60% victims male, 40% female
75% of victims in Netherlands are daily commuters
Females 18-24 have highest per capita theft rate in US cities
Organized crime involved in 20% of high-value bike thefts EU
62% of UK students affected by bike theft
Professional thieves use vans in 15% of cases

Demographic Profiles Interpretation

While bikes are stolen from a diverse range of riders, the portrait of a typical victim is a young, urban, commuting man, yet the most targeted individual per capita is a young woman, highlighting that while theft may be a numbers game, its impact is deeply personal and unevenly distributed.

Economic Impacts and Recovery

The average value of a stolen bike in the UK is £500
US stolen bikes total $500 million in losses annually
Only 5% of stolen bikes are recovered worldwide
UK insurance payouts for bike theft reached £50 million in 2022
Netherlands recovers 10% of stolen bikes via registries
E-bike theft costs average €2,000 per incident in Europe
London bike theft economic loss: £100 million yearly
Second-hand market for stolen bikes generates $1 billion globally
Recovery rate in Portland is 3% with GPS trackers rising to 20%
Average US stolen bike value $1,200
Bike theft leads to 40% of victims quitting cycling, costing health £200m in UK
Insurance premiums rose 15% due to bike theft claims in 2022 EU
Stolen bikes cost NYC $12 million in 2022
Only 2% recovery without registration in UK
Average stolen bike repair/replace cost £450 in London
Global black market bike trade $2-5 billion annually
Copenhagen recovery rate 15% with city bike programs
Victims with insurance recover 25% more often
Bike theft clearance rate 4% in US nationally
Economic loss per stolen bike in Germany €800 average

Economic Impacts and Recovery Interpretation

While the global bicycle theft epidemic is a goldmine for criminals and a costly nuisance for insurers, it's ultimately a tragic puncture in public health, as the real price is paid by cities whose stolen two-wheelers become forsaken pedals, leaving everyone poorer in both pocket and spirit.

Geographic Variations

London, UK had 18,562 bike thefts in 2022
New York City reported 10,847 bike thefts in 2022
Portland, Oregon sees 4,500 bike thefts annually
Cambridge, UK has the highest per capita bike theft rate in the UK at 1,200 per 100,000
Amsterdam experiences 50,000 bike thefts per year
Berlin, Germany recorded 25,000 bike thefts in 2022
Paris, France had 12,000 reported bike thefts in 2022
San Francisco reported 3,200 bike thefts in 2022
Melbourne, Australia sees 5,000 bike thefts yearly
Vancouver, Canada had 2,800 bike thefts in 2022
Tokyo reports 15,000 bike thefts annually
Oxford, UK theft rate is 1 in 47 bikes stolen yearly
Bike thefts in Manchester UK: 4,500 in 2022
Seattle WA reported 2,100 bike thefts in 2022
Dublin Ireland: 3,000 bike thefts yearly average
Stockholm Sweden: 7,500 bike thefts in 2022
Barcelona Spain: 6,000 bike thefts in 2022
Vienna Austria reports 4,000 annual bike thefts
Helsinki Finland: 2,500 bike thefts yearly
Chicago IL: 5,000 bike thefts in 2022
Brighton UK: 1,800 bike thefts yearly
Zurich Switzerland: 3,200 bike thefts in 2022
Toronto Canada: 4,000 bike thefts in 2022
Brussels Belgium: 5,500 bike thefts yearly
Milan Italy: 4,200 bike thefts in 2022
Sydney Australia: 3,500 bike thefts in 2022
Bologna Italy: 2,000 bike thefts yearly
Oslo thefts concentrated in 20% of neighborhoods

Geographic Variations Interpretation

While the world's most bike-friendly cities are pedaling toward greener futures, they're simultaneously fueling a thriving shadow economy of two-wheeled larceny that would make any locksmith despair.

Incidence and Rates

In 2022, the global bicycle theft rate was estimated at 1.5 million bikes stolen annually worldwide
Approximately 2 bikes are stolen every minute globally according to 2023 estimates
Bike theft accounts for 18% of all thefts reported in urban areas worldwide
In Europe, 1 in 5 cyclists has had their bike stolen at least once
Worldwide, unlocked bikes represent 45% of stolen bicycles
The UK records over 300,000 bike thefts per year on average
In the US, about 800,000 bikes are stolen annually
Australia sees 60,000 bike thefts yearly
Canada reports 50,000 bicycle thefts per year
Japan has a bike theft rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents
In the Netherlands, bikes are stolen at a rate of 785 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
Germany recorded 250,000 bike thefts in 2022
France sees 150,000 annual bike thefts
Italy reports 100,000 bike thefts yearly
Spain has 80,000 bike theft incidents per year
In 2022, Copenhagen had 8,000 bike thefts with 12% recovery rate
Oslo Norway: theft rate 500 per 100,000
80% of thieves use bolt cutters in urban thefts
Global average bike theft per capita 0.2%
Lock use reduces theft risk by 70% per studies

Incidence and Rates Interpretation

Despite the overwhelming global army of bike thieves working at a breakneck pace of two per minute, a simple lock remains the most underutilized superhero in this billion-dollar tragedy of two-wheeled attrition.

Temporal Trends

Bike thefts in the UK increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022
US bike thefts rose 12% between 2020 and 2022 post-pandemic
Netherlands bike thefts decreased 5% from 2019 to 2022 due to better locks
London saw a 20% spike in bike thefts during 2020 lockdowns
Germany bike thefts up 10% in 2022 vs 2021
Australia recorded a 8% increase in bike thefts from 2021-2023
France bike thefts surged 25% in 2022
NYC bike thefts doubled from 2019 to 2022
Portland bike thefts peaked in 2021 at 5,200 before dropping 10%
UK summer months see 30% more bike thefts than winter
Global e-bike thefts increased 50% from 2020-2023
Bike theft reports in Canada fell 7% in 2022 after rising in 2021
Bike thefts in Edinburgh Scotland up 18% in 2022
Global bike thefts projected to rise 20% by 2025 with e-bikes
US bike thefts down 5% in 2023 vs 2022 peak
Bike thefts in UK peaked in 2018 at 370,000 then fell 10% by 2022
E-bike thefts in California up 300% since 2019
Bike thefts down 12% in Amsterdam 2022 vs 2021
30% increase in bike thefts during Olympics in Paris 2024 forecast

Temporal Trends Interpretation

It seems the world is losing its bike locks faster than its mind, as rising global theft rates—especially for e-bikes—suggest criminals are happily pedaling into the future, with the notable exception of the Dutch, who apparently remembered to actually use their locks.

Sources & References

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