Overview

• Police recorded 246,000 bicycle thefts in 2024, a 6.9% decrease from the previous year, but less than 10% of cases were solved.
• Insurers reported 135,000 claims for stolen bicycles in 2024, 10,000 fewer than in 2023, yet payouts rose to a 20-year high of €160 million.
• Thieves increasingly targeted premium bicycles and e-bikes, with organized criminal gangs exporting stolen bikes abroad.
• The average financial loss per stolen bicycle reached €1,190, more than triple the average from 20 years ago.
• Insurers recommend using high-quality locks, securing bikes in visible areas, registering bicycles, and maintaining adequate insurance coverage.