What Bike Lock Security Ratings Mean
When you lock your bicycle in a city, on a campus, or outside a shop, the security rating stamped on the lock is one of the most important pieces of information you can check. The most widely referenced rating system in the cycling world comes from Sold Secure, a UK organization that rates locks and other security products. The U.S. Department of Justice COPS guide on bicycle theft also points readers to it for lock evaluations. Understanding these bike lock security ratings helps you match a lock to your risk level, satisfy an insurance policy, and avoid common theft techniques.
How Sold Secure Ratings Are Determined
Sold Secure assigns four main grades: Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. According to Sold Secure’s ratings guide, each grade indicates how well a product resists specific threat levels and the attack methods thieves commonly use. The evaluation process measures how long a lock can withstand tools such as bolt croppers, saws, or angle grinders, depending on the category being assessed.
Diamond is the highest grade. Sold Secure describes it as offering top-level resistance against the most determined thief and recommends it for use in the highest threat level environments. Gold provides a very good level of resistance against a dedicated thief and is intended for high-risk areas. Silver gives a greater level of resistance against a more determined thief and suits higher-risk environments. Bronze offers a good level of resistance against an opportunist thief and is designed for normal-risk settings.
Not every product category is evaluated to Diamond. For instance, Sold Secure notes that the highest available rating for a smart lock is currently Gold. The organization also maintains separate rating scales for pedal cycles and powered cycles (motorcycles and e-bikes), which we will cover next.
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Ratings at a Glance
The table below summarizes the four Sold Secure pedal cycle ratings, based on the organization’s published descriptions. These ratings apply to D-locks, chain locks, folding locks, cable locks, and other bike security products. If you own an e-bike, Sold Secure recommends using a powered cycle rated lock; note that a Pedal Cycle Diamond rating is equivalent to a Powered Cycle Gold rating, as both are evaluated with the same tools, attack methods, and time limits.
| Rating | Threat Level | Recommended Environment | Attack Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedal Cycle Diamond | Highest resistance against the most determined bicycle thief | Very high value cycles in very high risk areas | Extended tool list including some power tools and machine-based evaluation |
| Pedal Cycle Gold | High resistance against a dedicated bicycle thief | High value bike in a high-risk area (big city, university town) | Extended attack with heavy-duty tools |
| Pedal Cycle Silver | Greater resistance against a more determined thief | Lower value pedal cycles in a medium risk area (local town centre) | Enhanced tool list |
| Pedal Cycle Bronze | Good deterrent against an opportunist thief | Short time in a low risk area (café, shop) | Short attack using a single, easily concealed hand tool |
What the DOJ COPS Guide Says About Lock Security
The U.S. Department of Justice COPS guide on bicycle theft provides a practical definition of a secure lock. According to the guide, a lock is considered “secure” if it can withstand an attack lasting 3 minutes or more by a thief using readily available hand tools. The guide adds that some robust locks are sold with insurance cover for the bicycle they secure.
For maximum security, the COPS guide advises cyclists to use two locks of different types. This forces a would-be thief to use two different tools to break both locks, increasing the effort required. The guide lists common lock types, including D or U locks (resistant to cutting but vulnerable to levering), chain locks (vulnerable to striking if applied incorrectly), cable locks (vulnerable to cutting), and armored cable locks. Understanding these vulnerabilities can help you choose a combination that covers each other’s weaknesses. Our article on U-lock vs chain lock vs folding lock explains the trade-offs in more detail.
Common Theft Methods and How Ratings Help
The COPS guide identifies several perpetrator techniques that cyclists should be aware of. Thieves may lift a bike and lock over a post, lever a lock apart using the bike frame or a tool, strike a chain or lock that touches the ground with a hammer and chisel, unbolt quick-release components, cut through locks with bolt cutters or angle grinders, or pick the lock mechanism. A higher Sold Secure rating means the lock has been evaluated against a more demanding set of tools, making it more resistant to these methods. For example, a Diamond-rated lock is assessed against power tools, while a Bronze lock is only checked against a basic hand tool.
Even a highly rated lock can be defeated if it is used incorrectly. The COPS guide emphasizes that locking practice is just as important as the lock itself. We cover the specifics of proper technique in our guide on how to lock a bike properly.
Insurance and Sold Secure Ratings
Many bicycle insurance providers require a Sold Secure rated lock, and they often specify a minimum grade in the policy documents. Sold Secure’s own FAQ page confirms that insurers may state a required rating, and it is a good idea to check your policy before purchasing a lock. Sold Secure notes that most bicycle and e-bike insurers may set a minimum rating based on the value of your bike. Always verify the current rating of a product by searching the Sold Secure approved product list, as ratings can change over time.
Locking Technique: More Than Just the Rating
Research cited in the COPS guide found that out of 180 possible locking configurations for a standard Sheffield stand, only 23 were considered “good” or secure. Observations of around 8,500 locking events in London showed that 87 percent of cyclists used only one lock, and just 20 percent locked their bikes in a way deemed secure. Secure locking means using an appropriate lock or locks to secure both wheels and the frame to an immovable stand. The guide recommends using two locks of different types, such as a D lock and a chain lock, so that a thief must overcome two different attack methods.
Where you park also matters. The COPS guide notes that flyparking (locking to street furniture not designed for bike parking) can increase risk. In Camden, London, police data showed that 72 percent of bicycles reported stolen between 2004 and 2005 had been flyparked. Whenever possible, use purpose-built bike parking. For more on protecting your bike at home, see our home bike storage security article.
Choosing the Right Rating for Your Bike
Sold Secure advises that the higher the value of your bike, the higher the rating you should aim for. A Bronze lock may be enough for a quick stop at a café in a low-risk area, while a Gold or Diamond lock is more appropriate for an expensive bike left all day in a busy city. If you ride an e-bike, Sold Secure recommends using a powered cycle rated product. The highest powered cycle rating is Powered Cycle Diamond, but a Pedal Cycle Diamond lock offers the same security level as Powered Cycle Gold. Still, always confirm what your insurer requires. Our e-bike rider gear guide covers locks and other protective equipment for electric bikes.
Remember that no lock is unbeatable, but a well-chosen, properly used lock makes your bike a much less attractive target. For a broader look at the gear you need as a new rider, visit our essential cycling gear for beginners page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Sold Secure Bronze and Silver?
According to Sold Secure, the difference comes down to how long each product is evaluated and the tools used during that evaluation. A Silver rating involves a longer attack evaluation with an enhanced tool list, while a Bronze rating uses a shorter evaluation against a basic tool list.
Does my bike lock need to be Sold Secure rated for insurance?
Many insurers require a Sold Secure rated lock and will specify the minimum grade in your policy. Sold Secure recommends checking with your insurance company before you buy, and always verifying the product’s current rating on the official approved product list, as ratings are updated daily.
Can I use a Pedal Cycle Diamond lock on an e-bike?
Sold Secure states that a Pedal Cycle Diamond lock offers the same security level as a Powered Cycle Gold lock, because both are evaluated with the same tools, attack methods, and time limits. However, the organization still recommends using a powered cycle rated product for e-bikes, and you should confirm what your insurance policy requires.
For more guidance on choosing and using bike locks, visit our Bike Locks category page.
