Tag: bikes

Top 10 tips from BikeRegister when buying a second hand bike

BikeRegister, the UK’s largest cycle database and the only one that is police-approved, has valuable advice for anyone wanting to buy a secondhand bike.

Everyone loves a bargain, but if a bike is advertised too cheaply or if the seller seems too keen to ‘seal the deal’ quickly and without proper paperwork, there is usually a reason.

As the UK’s leading online bicycle identification and registration initiative aiming to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery, BikeRegister encourages prospective buyers to take reasonable steps to establish that the secondhand bike they are interested in is not stolen.

If the seller is genuine, they will understand you acting with caution. After all, you could stand to lose not only your hard-earned cash, but also the bike itself if police suspect the seller is a cycle thief.

What to do when buying a secondhand bike:

1.Take a friend with you and always meet the buyer at a home or work address. Alarm bells should be ringing if the buyer suggests meeting in a public place such as a park or a tube station. Never buy from anyone that approaches you on the street.

2.Is the seller bluffing or do they really know the bike’s history? Do they look like they could be the owner of the bike they are selling?

3.Examine the bike thoroughly to check its condition. Also look to see if it has been security marked. You can check the frame number or BikeRegister ID by using our FREE https://www.bikeregister.com/bike-checker facility on the BikeRegister database to make sure that the bike is not listed as stolen.

4.If the seller can produce an original purchase receipt and service history, that’s a good sign of a genuine sale.

5.Is the bike being advertised at market value? If not, ask yourself why?

6.Stock photos shouldn’t be used to sell a bike. The real owner would have original photos that they would be happy to show you.

7.Thieves often alter the appearance of stolen bikes. Does the bike have its original paintwork? Have there been any obvious attempts to remove the frame number or bike marking?

8.If you go ahead with the purchase, always get a receipt for the sale. A genuine seller will be happy to provide one.

9.Make sure you register and mark your new bike on https://www.bikeregister.com/signup. By doing so, it will greatly reduce the chances of having it stolen.

10.If you think you are being sold a stolen bike, don’t go through with the purchase. Report the incident to police by calling 101.

Put your old bike to good use with Brake the Cycle

We want your broken, old or unwanted bikes for our Brake the Cycle scheme!

Usually the Brake the Cycle Scheme is a recycling project which takes old and unwanted bikes that are then repaired or serviced by offenders on Community Payback Orders. The bikes are then given away for free to community organisations, youth groups and schools.

At the moment supervisors from the team have been repairing then delivering bikes to people who can use them during the lockdown. So far the team have been able to help NHS and Council workers avoid using public transport to get to work, and donated bikes to vulnerable adults and children across the city, giving them a chance to go out exercise and help as well as improving their mental health.

If you have a bike you would like to donate please email the team and someone will collect your old bike for free.

By donating your unwanted or broken bike, you can help to reduce waste (and maybe make some room in your garden shed!).

You’ll also be helping others who could be in need during the lock down as well as  promoting healthier lifestyles and environmentally-friendly travel in Edinburgh.

Buying a bike?

Buying second-hand is a great way to get your hands on a bike for a reasonable price. If you’re looking to bag a bargain, read on for Gumtree UK‘s top tips for buying used bikes:

📑 Proof of ownership

To check everything’s above board, ask the seller to show you a receipt of purchase. You can also ask about the bike’s service history, or run the frame number through BikeRegister.

💬 Ask questions

It’s important to make sure the bike does what you need it to do, so remember to ask about: wheel size, suspension, mudguards, rack mounts and gears. Set a budget beforehand and prioritise your needs to find the best bike for you.

🚲 Research the competition

Once you’ve found a bicycle you like, check other ads to see what they’re selling for. You’ll get a fair price if you go into the sale with some knowledge of what’s out there.

🕵️‍♂️ Check the bike out

🚲 Once you’ve got the bike in front of you, check it over for damage and general wear-and-tear. Look out for: cracks in the frame, rust on the chain, worn down brake pads and any punctures on the tyres. If the seller’s happy, ask to take it for a quick test ride.

Remember to always follow the government’s guidelines for social distancing when you’re meeting sellers and wash your hands before and after touching the bike. Once you get your bicycle home, we recommend giving it a thorough clean.

Police Scotland

A call to bikers: join Poppyscotland’s Ride of Remembrance

CONVOY OF 200 BIKERS ROAR INTO EDINBURGH FOR ANNUAL RIDE OF RESPECT

Poppyscotland is calling for bikers to get involved in a special Ride of Remembrance in Edinburgh this weekend.

On Sunday (11 October) around 200 motorbikes, scooters, trikes and quads are expected to take part in the 2015 Ride of Remembrance, organised by Poppyscotland supporter group War Torn Troops Remembered (WTTR). The event is open to all bikers.

Departing from Straiton Park & Ride at 9am, the convoy will travel to the city, congregating at the Scots American War Memorial in Princes Street Gardens West where, at 10.30am, a Remembrance service will take place. A pipe band will play and there will be a collection for Poppyscotland.

This will be the fourth year that the biking community has come together to pay tribute to Servicemen and women who have lost their lives. In support of Poppyscotland’s current work with members of the Armed Forces community, WTTR has raised £12,615 for the charity since 2012 through this annual event and other year-round fundraising activity.

Bikers wishing to take part can find out more and register in advance by emailing wttrregistration@yahoo.co.uk There is a registration fee of £5 with all proceeds being donated to Poppyscotland.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the service in Princes Street Gardens West.

Science hits the streets this Easter

Scifest busking on the farm in 2014Spectacular street science is expected to attract large crowds to locations across Edinburgh during the Easter holidays.

The ‘Busking Bikes’ project is part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the City of Edinburgh Council is supporting six performances from 4-14 April.

Each trike carries a box full to the brim with impressive, explosive, messy, and down-right weird science experiments. From the power of water to finding out how carbon capture could save the planet, each demo will explain some of the most interesting science happening today.

As well as watching expert performers do some unforgettable demonstrations, the audience can get stuck in too and learn their own science tricks, from skewering a balloon to launching a rocket.

Councillor Frank Ross, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting project as we expect the bikes to draw large crowds to each area creating a vibrant atmosphere, colour and life where ever they go. The ‘Busking Bikes’ project is being funded as part of the Council’s Town Centre Strategy to build stronger town centres by driving up footfall to support local businesses.”

Programme:

Saturday April 4 – Portobello Market

Sunday April 5 – Gorgie City Farm

Friday April 10 – Stockbridge Library

Friday April 10 – Morningside Library

Friday April 10 – Costorphine Library

Tuesday April 14 – McDonald Road Library

 

£3000 bike theft in Newhaven Road

Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a high-value mountain bike. The crime happened around 4.30am on Monday (16 April) at an address in Newhaven Road, when a property was broken into and the 36-gear ISSAC hard tail bike worth £3,000 was stolen from inside.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

The bike is described as black, with an 18-inch frame, DT Swiss 240 silver-rimmed wheels, white forks, Continental mud tyres, Shimano XTR break discs, Bon Trager carbon stem and a triple Physic Gobbie saddle.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Given the time at which this incident occurred, a number of residents in Newhaven Road may have been awoken by sounds of a disturbance, as those responsible gained entry to the property. Similarly, members of the public who were up and out in the area in the early hours of Monday morning may also have seen something suspicious and are asked to contact police immediately if they have information that can assist officers with their investigation.”

proton_complete_xt_L[1]