Park your bike safely in Zürich & prevent theft

Thousands of bikes are stolen in Zürich every year. With the right lock and a few habits you can significantly lower your risk.

The right lock

• U-lock: Offers the best protection for the money. Lock as close to the frame and to a fixed object as possible so no tools can be applied.
• Folding lock: A good compromise between security and portability.
• Chain lock: Flexible but heavy – useful for longer-term parking.

Rule of thumb: invest around 10–15% of the bike’s value in the lock and always lock the frame (not just the front wheel) to something solid.

Secure parking

Zürich is heavily expanding its network of bike stations: at the main station, in Oerlikon and now at Stadelhofen there are covered, partly free spaces. See our list of bike stations and the cycling map.

If your bike is stolen

Note the frame number and brand and take a photo of your bike. That lets you file a loss report and clearly identify the bike if it’s recovered.

Bike coding

Have your bike coded at a Pro Velo event – it deters thieves and makes returns easier. Find dates via our news and events page.