Staying safe on the road and stopping bike theft
Locks, parking, robbery, accidents, police stops and winter riding.
How do I stop my delivery bike being stolen in London?
Lock it every time, even for a two-minute pickup: a disc lock plus a heavy chain to something fixed, parked where people and cameras can see it, keys and removable batteries with you. A GPS tracker turns a stolen bike from a total loss into a recovery job. Thieves target the same restaurant pickups and estates again and again, so vary where you wait.
If someone threatens you, give them the bike and the phone: no vehicle is worth an injury. Get to safety, call 999, then your rental company or insurer. On an Otto rental the GPS location goes straight to our team and the police.
Locking and parking
Most thefts take under a minute and happen outside restaurants and at the bottom of tower blocks.
- Disc lock with a reminder cable, plus a chain to a fixed post
- Park in view of the restaurant window or a camera
- Take the key and, if you can, the battery
- Never leave the phone on the mount when you walk away
- At home, store the bike off the street or behind a locked gate
If your bike is stolen
Report it to the police (101 or online, 999 if it is happening now) and get a crime reference number. Tell your rental company or insurer the same day: they need the reference and, on a tracked bike, can follow its location. Don’t try to recover it yourself.
Accidents
Stop, make the scene safe and call 999 if anyone is hurt. Exchange name, address and registration with the other people involved, take photos and ask witnesses for contact details. If you can’t exchange details, report the accident to the police within 24 hours. Then tell your insurer or rental company and the platform.
Police stops
Stay calm and polite. You can be asked for your licence, CBT and insurance; if you don’t have them with you, the police can give you up to seven days to show them at a station. Carrying photos of your documents on your phone helps, and a rental agreement shows the bike is insured for delivery.
Winter and night riding
Cold reduces battery range by 10–30%, so plan shorter shifts or a swap. Wet leaves, metal covers and painted lines are slippery: brake earlier and lean less. Wear lights and reflective kit, and good gloves: cold hands brake late.
Quick answers
What happens if a rented Otto bike is stolen?
Should I fight back if someone tries to take my bike?
Do I need to carry my documents?
General information for riders, not legal or tax advice. Rules change: check gov.uk and your platform’s rider pages before you rely on a detail.
