Bike lock certifications are independent security grades that a testing body awards after attacking a lock with real theft tools. The main schemes are Sold Secure in the UK, ART in the Netherlands, FUB in France and Varefakta in Denmark. They matter because theft is common: about 2.4 million adult bicycles are stolen in the US each year3. This guide is for commuters, e-bike owners and anyone matching a lock to an insurance policy. It covers every major scheme and links to deeper guides on each rating.
Quick Answer
What are bike lock certifications?
They are grades from independent labs that attack locks with saws, cutters, picks and drills. Sold Secure grades bike locks Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond. ART awards one to five stars.
Why it matters:
Brand scores can't be compared across companies, but a shared certification can. In one survey, most stolen bikes were locked when taken (59%)2, so tested strength decides the outcome.
Key Takeaways
- Sold Secure renamed its bicycle category the Pedal Cycle rating in 20221, and its grades run Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond.
- ART is a Dutch scheme that grades locks from one to five stars, and three stars is a high bar for a folding lock.
- Among locked bikes that were stolen, cable locks (35%) and U-locks (26%) were the most common locks in use2.
- A certification covers one exact model and size, so the certifier's own approved-product list is the final proof.
- The most common misconception is that a brand's in-house security score is a certification. It isn't, and it can't be compared across brands.
Bike Lock Certifications in 30 Seconds
| If you are... | Do this |
|---|---|
| Insuring a bike in the UK | Read the policy, then choose a Sold Secure grade at or above the stated minimum, usually Gold. |
| Insuring a bike in the Netherlands | Look for the ART star count the insurer names. |
| Parking an e-bike or a bike worth over $1,000 in public | Shortlist Sold Secure Gold or Diamond, or ART 3 stars and above. |
| Choosing a folding lock | Check the exact model and length on the certifier's list; few folding locks reach ART 3 stars. |
| Comparing two brands' "security levels" | Ignore in-house scores and compare the shared independent rating. |
What Are Bike Lock Certifications?
A bike lock certification is an independent rating that shows how well a lock resisted a defined set of attack tools in a lab test. The lab, not the lock maker, sets the tools, the time limits and the pass mark. The result is published as a grade, such as Sold Secure Gold or ART 3 stars.
Sold Secure is a UK testing house whose bicycle category has been called the Pedal Cycle rating since 20221. It rates D-locks, chains, folding locks, disc locks, ground anchors and cable locks under one scheme1. That shared method lets a folding lock and a U-lock sit on the same ladder.
ART is a Dutch certification foundation that sorts locks into five categories, shown as one to five stars. Other countries run their own schemes too. France has FUB testing, and Denmark has Varefakta approval.
Certifications cover the physical lock: the body, shackle or links, joints and cylinder. They don't rate frame mounts, alarms, GPS trackers or how a rider locks up. A certified lock wrapped around a front wheel alone still loses the bike.
Certifications sit between brand claims and real theft data. They are the closest thing the bike security market has to a common standard, and they are the only fair way to compare two brands.
Why Bike Lock Certifications Matter
Bike lock certifications matter because the lock is the only barrier between a parked bike and a thief. Theft is frequent. A 2025 peer-reviewed survey put the yearly US theft rate at 3.1% for the general population and 4.2% for active bicyclists3.
Bikes are also easier targets than cars. Across countries in the International Crime Victim Survey, 4.7 percent of bicycle owners had a bike stolen, against 1.2 percent of car owners4.
Recovery is rare once a bike is gone. A survey of theft victims found that 15% of stolen bicycles were recovered2. Police data also undercounts the problem, since only 56 percent of bicycle thefts were reported on average4.
Transport Findings researchers put the core problem plainly:
"Results indicate that the reported stolen bicycles were usually locked (59%), and stolen overnight (41%) from enclosed spaces (28%)."
That study surveyed theft victims registered with the nonprofit BikeIndex.org2. Being locked was not the same as being protected.
Certifications close three gaps that riders run into:
- Brand scores use different ranges, so one maker's "level 9" and another's "level 15" can't be compared.
- Many insurers name a minimum certified grade, and a lock below it can leave a theft claim open to refusal.
- Police time is spread across all property crime. San Francisco police began assigning officers in all ten district stations to property crimes, including bike theft, in 20185.
Understanding the grades changes the buying decision. A rider who knows what Gold means stops paying for adjectives and starts paying for tested minutes.
The Five-Part Bike Lock Certification Framework
Bike lock certifications break into five parts: the Sold Secure grade ladder, ART stars, national and brand labels, insurance rules, and verification. The parts were grouped from the questions riders ask before buying, cut to the smallest set that still covers every rating in use.
Sold Secure Grades: Bronze to Diamond
The Sold Secure Pedal Cycle rating is a four-step ladder: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Each step adds harder tools and longer attack times, so a Gold lock has survived a test that a Silver lock never faced. Gold is a common minimum in UK cycle insurance wording for bikes parked in public. Diamond, the top grade, is built for the highest-risk parking, such as long stays on busy city streets.
For a bike parked daily on the street, Gold is the practical floor, and Diamond earns its extra weight only where risk is high and stays are long.
Deeper read: what the Sold Secure Gold rating means.
Deeper read: Sold Secure Gold on folding bike locks.
ART Stars: The Dutch One-to-Five Scale
ART stars are the grades awarded by the Dutch ART foundation, from one star for light use to five stars for the heaviest locks. ART lists chain locks, U-shackle locks, folding locks, ring locks and anchors. Higher star levels are hard for folding designs, because every rivet and joint is a possible attack point. A folding lock with three stars has passed a test that many folding locks never enter.
Three ART stars on a folding lock is a direct signal of joint and rivet strength, which is the spot thieves attack first on that design.
Deeper read: ART 3 certification for folding bike locks.
National Labels and Brand Scales
FUB and Varefakta are national schemes. FUB is the French cyclists' federation, and it tests locks and recommends those that pass. Varefakta is a Danish labelling scheme that Danish insurers refer to. An internal security scale is a lock maker's own score, set without an outside lab. Those scores run on different ranges and can't be compared across brands.
Seatylock takes a different route with a colour badge instead of a number. Its Silver, Gold and Diamond badges carry the name of the matching Sold Secure grade, so a Gold badge means the lock holds Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold.
Any brand score should be treated as marketing until it names the outside lab and the grade behind it.
Deeper read: bike lock security ratings explained.
Insurance Requirements
Insurers use certifications as a shortcut for risk. A policy can name a scheme and a minimum grade, such as Sold Secure Gold, and sometimes a higher grade for pricier bikes. Some policies accept ART stars or a named list of approved locks instead. If the stolen bike was secured with a lock below the stated grade, the claim can be refused.
The policy should be read before the lock is bought, because the insurer's wording, not the lock box, decides whether a claim pays.
Deeper read: which insurance approved bike lock rating a policy needs.
Verifying a Rating
A rating belongs to one model and one size, not to a brand or a product family. Sold Secure runs a public search tool for approved products1, and ART publishes its own list filtered by lock type and category. A buyer should match the exact model name and length to that list. A logo on the packaging is a claim; the certifier's database is the proof.
A short search on the certifier's site prevents the most common mix-up, which is buying a longer or shorter version of a rated lock.
How to Choose the Right Certified Bike Lock
The most important criterion is the risk where the bike is parked: its value, the parking time and the location. A certification then turns that risk into a minimum grade.
- Read the insurance policy first. Note the scheme and grade it names, and treat that as the floor. The insurance approved bike lock rating depends entirely on that wording.
- Match the grade to the parking risk. Short daytime stops on busy streets suit Sold Secure Silver or Gold. Overnight or all-day street parking calls for Gold, Diamond or ART 3 stars and up.
- Pick the lock format. U-locks reach high grades in a compact shape. Chains give reach around wide posts. Folding locks balance reach with quiet, frame-mounted carry.
- Check reach against real racks. The lock must close around the frame and the fixed object. A lock that's too short tempts riders to lock the wheel only.
- Verify the exact model. Search the certifier's approved list for the model and length before buying.
- Test the daily carry. A certified lock left at home protects nothing. The mount, the noise on rough roads and the time to unlock decide whether it rides along every day.
| Parking situation | Minimum grade to consider | Typical format |
|---|---|---|
| Quick stop under 30 minutes, busy street | Sold Secure Silver | Folding lock or U-lock |
| Daily commute, 8 to 10 hours at a public rack | Sold Secure Gold or ART 2 stars | Folding lock, U-lock or chain |
| E-bike or bike over $1,000 in any public spot | Sold Secure Gold or Diamond, ART 3 stars | U-lock or heavy-duty folding lock |
| Overnight outside a home or station | Sold Secure Diamond, or two certified locks | U-lock plus chain |
Folding designs now reach Gold too. The Foldylock Classic holds Sold Secure Gold with more reach than most U-locks. Red flags include a rating with no named lab, a grade shown only on the brand's site, or a certificate for a different length.
Compare All Bike Lock Certification Schemes
The main bike lock certification schemes differ by country, scale and the people who rely on them. This table sets them side by side, with brand scales included for contrast.
| Criteria | Sold Secure | ART | FUB | Varefakta | Brand internal scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | UK | Netherlands | France | Denmark | Varies by brand |
| Run by | Independent testing house | Independent foundation | French cyclists' federation | Danish labelling scheme | The lock maker |
| Scale | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond | 1 to 5 stars | Recommended label | Approved or not approved | Brand-defined, such as 1-10 or 1-15 |
| Lock types rated | D-locks, chains, folding, disc, cable, anchors | Chains, U-shackle, folding, ring, disc, anchors | Main bike lock types | Bike locks sold in Denmark | The brand's own range |
| Comparable across brands | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Most often cited by | UK insurers and police advice | Dutch insurers | French riders and retailers | Danish insurers | Brand marketing |
Look for Sold Secure if: the bike is insured in the UK, or locks of different formats need comparing.
Look for ART if: a Dutch policy names stars, or a folding lock's joint strength is the main concern.
Look for FUB if: the rider lives in France and wants a federation-backed recommendation.
Look for Varefakta if: a Danish insurer sets the lock requirement.
Use a brand scale only if: comparing models within one brand's range, never across brands.
Deeper read: how Sold Secure, ART and other ratings compare.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes with bike lock certifications come from reading the box instead of the test. Four errors account for most bad choices.
Mistake 1: Trusting a Brand's Own Security Score
Why it is a mistake: An in-house score is set by the company selling the lock. One brand's top level can sit below another brand's middle level, and no outside lab checks either. The numbers look comparable but measure nothing shared.
What to do instead: Compare locks on an independent grade, such as Sold Secure or ART. If a brand score is shown, look for the certification it maps to.
Read more: bike lock security ratings explained.
Mistake 2: Assuming the Whole Product Family Is Certified
Why it is a mistake: A certification covers the model and length that went through the lab. A longer chain, a wider shackle or a newer version can carry a different grade or none.
What to do instead: Search the certifier's list for the exact model name and size, then keep a screenshot with the receipt.
Read more: how to verify a Sold Secure Gold folding lock.
Mistake 3: Using a Low-Grade Lock in a High-Risk Spot
Why it is a mistake: Among locked bikes that were stolen, cable locks (35%) and U-locks (26%) were the most common locks in use2. Thefts from outdoor racks showed a locking rate of 95%2. A lock that only slows a thief for seconds doesn't change the result.
What to do instead: Use Sold Secure Gold or higher at public racks. A certified chain such as the Viking Gold adds reach around wide posts.
Read more: when Sold Secure Gold is the right grade.
Mistake 4: Buying the Lock Before Reading the Policy
Why it is a mistake: Insurance wording names the scheme and grade that count. A lock that is strong but rated on the wrong scheme, or one grade too low, can still sink a claim.
What to do instead: Read the theft section of the policy, note the scheme and grade, then shop to that floor. Keep the receipt, key code and a photo of the lock.
Read more: checking which lock rating an insurer requires.
Best Bike Lock Certifications by Use Case
The best bike lock certification depends on the rider's risk, not on a single top grade. Four common profiles cover most needs.
Best for Daily Urban Commuters
Commuters who lock up at the same rack every workday need Sold Secure Gold as a baseline. A frame-mounted folding lock or U-lock at that grade rides quietly and comes off the bike in seconds, which keeps it in daily use.
Deeper read: what Sold Secure Gold means on a folding lock.
Best for E-Bike and High-Value Bike Owners
Owners of e-bikes and premium bikes benefit from two independent ratings on one lock. The Foldylock Forever pairs Sold Secure Gold with ART 3 stars, so it passes two different labs' attack tests.
Deeper read: folding locks that earned ART 3 stars.
Best for Insured Riders
Riders with a theft policy should let the policy pick the grade. The named scheme and minimum come first, and parking risk only raises the target from there.
Deeper read: matching a lock rating to an insurance policy.
Best for Overnight and High-Theft Parking
Bikes left outside overnight face the longest, least watched attacks. Sold Secure Diamond, or a Gold lock paired with a second certified lock, raises the time a thief needs.
Deeper read: how Sold Secure Gold compares with Silver and Diamond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Sold Secure Gold and Diamond?
Diamond is the highest Sold Secure Pedal Cycle grade, and Gold sits one step below it. Both grades come from timed attacks with real tools, and Diamond adds harder tools and longer attacks. Gold is a common minimum in UK cycle insurance, while Diamond suits long stays in high-theft areas. Sold Secure adopted the Pedal Cycle name in 20221, so older packaging may use an earlier category name. Either grade applies only to the exact model tested.
Can a folding bike lock be ART 3 star certified?
Yes. Folding locks can earn ART stars, and the ART product list has its own folding lock category. Three stars is a demanding level for a folding design, because every joint and rivet must hold up under attack. The Foldylock Forever and Foldylock Elite both hold ART 3 certification for folding locks. Riders should still confirm the exact model on the ART list, since a rating never carries over to other sizes.
Do insurers require a certified bike lock?
Many do. UK cycle policies commonly name Sold Secure and a minimum grade, with Gold frequent for bikes left in public. Dutch policies name ART stars, and Danish policies refer to Varefakta approval. The requirement sits in the policy wording, not on the lock packaging. A claim can be refused if the lock used was below the stated grade. Keeping the receipt, the key code and a photo of the lock helps prove compliance after a theft.
Does a certified lock stop bike theft completely?
No. A certification measures how long a lock resists a set attack, not whether it can ever be beaten. Prevention still carries the most weight, since only 15% of stolen bicycles were recovered in one victim survey2. Among active riders, 13% of thefts were from outdoor bike racks3. A higher grade buys time and makes a bike a harder target. A solid anchor point and a frame-plus-wheel lock-up close the remaining easy gaps.
How This Guide Was Built
The methodology behind this guide combines the published rules of each certification scheme with peer-reviewed theft research. Figures come from a certification body, peer-reviewed transport studies, a policing research center and a police department, and each links to the page that carries it. The five-part framework was grouped from the questions riders ask before buying a certified lock. Editorial responsibility sits with Seatylock's product team, with Shahaf Levavi, Head of Product, as named reviewer, and the guide is rechecked whenever a scheme changes its grades.
What This Hub Does Not Cover
- Motorcycle and powered two-wheeler ratings use different tests and are outside this guide's scope.
- Locking technique and anchor points are touched on only briefly; the focus here is which rating to trust.
- Insurance wording varies by country and changes over time, so the policy document always overrides general guidance.
- Prices and stock are not listed; product pages carry current details.
References
- Sold Secure - Pedal Cycle ratings for bike locks
- Transport Findings - Patterns in Bike Theft and Recovery (peer-reviewed survey)
- Transport Findings - Bicycle Theft in the US: Magnitude and Equity Impacts (2025)
- ASU Center for Problem-Oriented Policing - Bicycle Theft problem-specific guide
- San Francisco Police Department - Prevent Bike Theft
Next Read
Bike lock certifications turn lab attacks into a grade any rider can compare. Sold Secure and ART are the two scales that matter most, and the exact model must appear on the certifier's list. The insurance policy sets the floor, and parking risk sets the target.