Motorcycle security: Survey of theft victims in South Australia

Owner awareness of theft issues

• The majority of theft victims believed the risk of motorcycle theft to be likely or extremely likely (61 percent). Neutral risk was 22 percent and 17 percent considered the theft risk to be unlikely or extremely unlikely.
• Individuals who had experienced more than one motorcycle theft had a more pessimistic view of theft risk, with 72 percent believing it was likely or extremely likely compared to 59 percent for first time victims.
• Theft victims under estimated the risk of theft from the home. Motorcycles were reported by victims as stolen from the residence in 73 percent of cases, yet when asked about the most likely theft location only 47 percent said at home. A further 26 percent said street/footpath and 18 percent said car park.
• Theft victims had their motorcycle recovered in 50 percent of cases. Most respondents were very pessimistic about the chance of a stolen motorcycle being recovered with 73 percent rating the likelihood of a stolen motorcycle being recovered at 40 percent or less. In contrast, 8 percent of respondents rated the likelihood of recovery at 61 percent or higher.
• Off-road bike owners were the most pessimistic about the chance of a stolen motorcycle being recovered, with 80 percent rating the likelihood as 40 percent or lower. Scooter/Moped owners were the least pessimistic, with 64 percent rating the likelihood of recovery at 40 percent or lower.
• When asked why they believed their bike was stolen, 39 percent said it was to sell for profit (parts or as a whole), 29 percent said for short term use/joy riding, 5 percent said for personal use by the offender and 1 percent said for use in motor sports.
• Theft victims considered the most effective security measure to be parking in a locked shed or garage (64 percent rated it extremely or very effective). This was followed by tracking systems (63 percent), disc lock with alarm (61 percent), home security system (51 percent), disc lock (43 percent) and chain with lock (42 percent). The devices considered least effective were steering locks (rated extremely or every effective by only 32 percent) and kill switches (40 percent).

• When asked to select from a list of regularly used security measures, one in eight theft victims (12 percent) used no security measures and 40 percent used one measure. Two measures were used by 25 percent, three measures 16 percent, four measures 6 percent and five measures 1 percent.
• Before theft, the most regular security practise used was parking in a locked shed or garage (46 percent), engaging the bike steering lock (46 percent) and a chain with lock (22 percent). Devices such as disc locks (14 percent), disc locks with alarm (3 percent), an alarm by itself (3 percent) and tracking devices (0 percent) were used less.
• People who had experienced a previous theft had more regular security practises. For example, regular use of chain with lock (38 percent vs 18 percent of first time theft victims) or disc lock with alarm (9 percent vs 1 percent).

• At time of theft, a fifth (21 percent) of victims had no security practices in place. When they were in use, their level of usage was lower than their reported regular use.
  
  For example, 23 percent of thefts were from a locked shed or garage, yet 46 percent said it was a regular practise. There were also variations for different motorcycle types such as on-road (not scooter), where 17 percent of thefts were from a locked shed or garage, yet 50 percent said it was a regular practise.
• For victims that had no security practices in place at time of theft, they stated:
  • they had an old bike or 'just a scooter' and didn't realise the theft risk.
  • they had a bike that was not expensive.
  • they were not aware of security options and were never advised by their dealer to purchase any.
  • they did not like the inconvenience of carrying around a heavy chain.
  • that in one instance, they had been advised by their dealer to not purchase any security because offenders would do more damage removing the device.

• After theft, 36 percent of victims completely stopped riding a motorcycle.
• The regular use of all types of security practises increased after theft for those that continued to ride. The increase was largest for chain with lock (from 22 percent before theft to 44 percent after theft) and locked shed (from 46 to 63 percent).
• There were variations for different motorcycle types:
  • Scooter - Regular use of a locked shed was up from 20 percent before theft to 54 percent after theft, chain with lock (from 20 to 46 percent) and steering lock (from 69 to 81 percent).
  • On-road (not scooter) - Regular use of a locked shed was up from 50 percent before theft to 70 percent after theft, disc lock (from 19 to 41 percent) and chain with lock (from 10 to 33 percent).
  • Off-road - Regular use of chain with lock was up from 29 percent before theft to 47 percent after theft.

• On average, the regular use of a combination of security practises generally increased after theft (from 1.7 practises before to 2.4 after).
• When asked if the recent bike theft had changed their security behaviours:

  Yes, I now secure my bike at all times	57.7
  Yes, I now secure my bike when parked at home	15.9
  Yes, I now secure my bike when parked in public	4.4
  No	22.0

• For victims who said it had not changed their behaviour, the primary reasons given were:
  • there is nothing more I can do.
  • if someone really wants it you can’t stop them.
  • there is no effective way to secure it.
  • have moved to a more secure location.

• Respondents were asked to rate the effectiveness of various security practises. Parking their bike in a locked shed was considered most effective (64 percent rated it extremely or very effective), followed by tracking systems (63 percent), disc lock with alarm (61 percent), home security system (51 percent), disc lock (43 percent) and chain with lock (42 percent). Steering locks were considered least effective (32 percent rated it extremely or very effective) and kill switches (40 percent).

  Security practise	In place at time of theft	Regular use after theft	Perceived effectiveness
  			Extremely or very effective	Moderately or slightly effective	Not effective at all
  Locked shed	22.6	63.0	63.5	31.4	5.0
  Steering lock	40.3	53.4	31.6	53.8	14.6
  Kill switch	17.7	25.0	39.9	46.4	13.7
  Chain with lock	13.4	43.7	41.5	51.5	7.0
  Disc lock	6.5	17.6	43.2	48.4	8.4
  Home security	3.2	16.0	51.3	40.3	8.4
  Disc lock with alarm	1.1	5.9	61.3	34.7	4.0
  Bike alarm	2.7	5.9	50.3	46.4	3.3
  Tracking system	0.0	1.7	63.3	31.3	5.3

• There was some discordance between the perceived effectiveness of various security practises and their regular usage after theft. For example, a disc lock with alarm was considered extremely or very effective by 61 percent of victims, yet only 6 percent regularly used one after theft.
• The steering lock was engaged at the time of theft in 40 percent of cases, yet 85 percent still perceived them to be effective to some level, including 32 percent who rated them as extremely or very effective.
• The primary reasons given for rating devices as not effective at all were:
  • the devices could easily be by-passed or defeated.
  • the bike could easily be lifted away.
  • kill switches and steering locks were no deterrent as the bike could still be walked away.
  • if thieves really want it nothing will stop them.
  • tracking systems help with recovery but not preventing the theft.
• When asked how much they would be prepared to spend on a security device, 51 percent of theft victims were prepared to spend more than $100, with 27 percent prepared to spend over $200. Eighteen percent said they were unlikely to spend any money on a security device, either because they had insurance cover or thought nothing could prevent a bike from being stolen.

  Amount	Scooter	On-road (not scooter)	Off-road	All motorcycles
  $0 - no point, you can't stop it being stolen	10.5	16.2	8.8	11.1
  $0 - my bike is insured, so I wouldn't buy any additional security	7.0	5.4	7.5	7.2
  $50 and under	15.8	2.7	7.5	8.9
  $51 - $100	26.3	13.5	21.3	21.7
  $101 - $200	26.3	27.0	23.8	24.4
  $201 - $400	7.0	24.3	11.3	12.8
  $401 or more	7.0	5.4	20.0	13.9

• Common security devices range in price.
  • basic disc lock ($25-$60) or disc lock with alarm ($70-$100).
  • cable ($30-$100) or more heavy duty chain ($140-$200).
  • ground anchor ($120-$150).

In the final section respondents were asked if there were any security devices or secure parking practises which they would like to see introduced or expanded in South Australia.

The main suggestions were about more anchor points in public parking areas and the use of high quality security cameras where bikes are parked. They would like pressure on manufacturers/distributors to fit tracking devices as a standard feature. The suggestions are listed below:

Bike parking

• "Secure motorcycle parking at train stations."
• "I'd like to see more paid secure car parks (e.g. U-Park) have dedicated bike parking."
• "Designated motorcycle parking with bars to chain the bike to, similar to public bicycle racks."
• "Areas in car parks for bikes similar to bicycle racks whereby lighter motorcycles can be chained to racks. Small bikes are too easily lifted up."
• "Hoops in the ground to chain the bike to in bike parks."
• "Wheel locking clamps at bike parking areas."
• "A security locking device bolted to road at motorbike park areas with a locking facility to use your own lock to secure your bike to."
• "Maybe an expandable clamp that you could place onto the front and rear wheel."
• "Secure street parking in CBD. i.e. things to chain a bike to. Police look out for stolen bikes - trucks with bikes in back could be targeted."
• "Selecting areas in car park for bikes to be chained to poles etc."
• "Being able to park in public carparks - albeit at a reduced rate - would encourage me to park less on the street."
• "Parking on footpaths out the front of businesses would make me feel much more secure. South Australia should emulate Victoria."
• "Victorians allow motorbikes to be parked on the footpath. Not only is this practical it is more secure so the bike is not hidden between cars."
• "Be able to park on the footpath so you can have your bike in view. This happens in Melbourne Victoria."
• "Controlled entrances and exits to carparks."

Tracking

• "Tracking."
• "Tracking in every bike. Would allow for many to be returned."
• "Affordable tracking devices."
• "Cheaper GPS tracking."
• "All bikes should have tracking devices in them."
• "I think every bike should be fitted with GPS upon registration. I run a motorbike page with 8,500 members and the amount of people who's bikes are getting stolen is unheard of. I believe this should be a government initiative with some subsidy."
• "We pay so much for registration, even for a 100cc scooter, an RF device should be issued for all motorcycles."
• "Cheap and affordable lojack or tracking."
• "I believe all motorbikes and cars should be fitted with inbuilt GPS trackers into the chassis where they can’t be removed by the manufacturers."
• "The sooner we move away from number plates to embedded RF/GPS tracking registration the better. Let’s embrace the 21st century and the technology it offers. I am retired, was in the process of replacing the scooter for a motorcycle, now I feel too insecure to own either."