NYC’s motorcycle theft problem…
It’s well known that New York City has a pretty bad motorcycle theft problem… Countless motorcycles of all kinds are stolen every year.
Before you do anything else, make sure you have theft coverage with your insurance. In the event of a theft, you’ll be glad you have a clear-cut plan of action and resource to replace your bike.
For parking options, there are plenty of riders that park on the street in NYC. This also makes your bike ripe for the picking for a would-be thief. There are generally a few rules of thumb to follow if you do — I never go without these when I leave my bike out on the street:
Cover your bike. Something like this should do. Be sure to check the measurements to get a proper fit.
Lock your bike somehow, whether that’s a disc lock or chain, don’t make it easy for someone to simply walk up to your bike and roll it away.
Install a tracker. I use Monimoto but even something as simple as an AirTag could do.
Of course, these measures are a good idea for riders anywhere, not just in big cities. Even with these precautions, street parking does have some downfalls. For instance, if someone is very determined there’s not much you can do to prevent them from taking your motorcycle. (This is why theft coverage is essential!)
Your bike may get dropped or moved by other vehicles who also street park. They may move your bike to fit their car in a space. Other bikes and scooters may park way too close to you, damaging parts or causing issues when it’s time to leave your spot.
Street parking also leaves your bike out to be blown over by wind or storms. If you’re covering your bike, make sure there is a good fit so that the cover doesn’t become a sail in a storm and knock your bike over.
The best thing to do is to garage your bike. I always garage my bike during the winter months. However, I do also street park for lengths of time if I want my bike to be super accessible and I know I will be riding a lot.
There are countless stories on Reddit from people who got their motorcycles stolen the one time they didn’t cover and lock. For more theft prevention tips, here is a fascinating Reddit AMA from a former motorcycle thief.
The safest and best options are to garage your bike and have theft coverage. If you end up opting to park on the street, never leave your bike without a cover, lock and tracker.
Finally, here’s a list of motorcycles garages to check out in NYC if you’d like to give your bike a safe and loving home!