Pierre Martin, from Pro Vélo, has some important advice that many bike owners follow: have multiple locks. “The ideal is to have two locks of different types. And always lock the frame and a wheel to a fixed point. Sometimes people only lock the wheel, which doesn’t prevent the bike from being taken, even if a wheel is missing.”
The increasing number of bike parking
Second advice: leave it in a secure parking lot. Private or public, they are increasing in Liège. “There is the parking lot at SNCB, in Guillemins. There is a parking lot at Réglo-Saint-Michel, in Jonfosse. 75 bike boxes also exist, but most are already full and on a waiting list. And increasingly, private car parks also offer bike parking at advantageous rates.”
An interactive map referencing all locations for bike parking is currently being developed.
Renting a bike
And if, for you, these security measures are not enough, there is also a bike rental service with distinctive bikes labeled “ville de Liège”, which a cyclist we met has chosen. “I had my bike stolen twice, including one that I really liked, which was expensive and I thought I had secured well. So I decided to opt for a bike rental from the city of Liège. It costs me 80 euros per year, and it’s really good. You can tell it was designed to be easily maintained. I think it’s a really good deal.”
Report every theft to the police
And if, despite all precautions, your bike still disappears, the police recommend reporting the theft. On one hand, to contribute to the statistics, and on the other hand, because sometimes the police manage to recover them. The police also advise keeping all the details of your bike (brand, model, colors, unique features for identification, etc.) so it can be returned more easily if found.
