Theft of bicycles

Vigilance and technology

Sir, – Anne Doherty’s advice about using a “good U-lock” when leaving a bike in the city, along with being choosy about where exactly one leaves it, sadly will not prevent theft of your cycle (Letters, March 2nd).

The technology deployed by serious thieves now features hand-held angle-grinders that will cut through that lock in a few minutes.

The grinders are small enough to be toted in a small backpack and taken out in seconds once a good bike has been selected.

Passers-by by do not intervene, even though the sparks and noise draw attention to what is under way.

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It is very difficult to procure theft insurance for all forms of e-bikes these days.

Our gardaí need to take bike theft much more seriously. – Yours, etc,

MIKE McKILLEN,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.

Sir, – Some of your correspondents have advised the purchase of a good U-lock if one wishes to avoid having one’s bicycle stolen.

I wonder is it a pointless exercise if the bicycle thieves can buy a cordless angle grinder for €39.99 in the middle aisle of their local discount store? – Yours, etc,

MAIRÉAD FORSYTHE,

Templeogue,

Dublin 6W.