Bike lock certifications are independent test results that tie a lock to a named test house, a published tool list and a time limit. Sold Secure grades pedal cycle locks on four main levels, from Bronze up to Diamond1, while the Dutch ART scheme awards one to five stars2. This guide is for city commuters, e-bike owners and anyone whose insurer names a lock grade. It explains how ratings are earned, what they prove and where they stop, then routes each question to a deeper guide.
Quick Answer
What are bike lock certifications?
Bike lock certifications are grades awarded by a test body outside the lock maker after a lock resists set tools for a set time. Sold Secure has four main pedal cycle grades: Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze1. Stichting ART decides between one and five stars with an attack test2. A brand's own security score isn't a certification, because no outside body stands behind it.
Why it matters:
Insurers write the grade into the policy, so the rating can decide a theft claim as well as how long a lock holds out.
Key Takeaways
- Sold Secure officially renamed its Bicycle rating to Pedal Cycle in 2022, and the scale still runs from Bronze to Diamond1.
- Bicycle insurers in the ART scheme require an ART lock with at least two stars2.
- In one UK insurer's lock table, a bicycle insured above £2,500 needs a Sold Secure Gold lock3.
- An ART approval is valid for 3 years after it is issued, so a rating is a dated fact rather than a permanent one4.
Bike Lock Certifications in 30 Seconds
| If you are... | Do this |
|---|---|
| Parking a high value bike in a big city | Look for Sold Secure Gold or Diamond on the certifier's own listing |
| Stopping briefly at a cafe or shop | Bronze is the Sold Secure grade aimed at short stops in low risk areas |
| Riding an e-bike | Check Sold Secure Powered Cycle ratings, or Pedal Cycle Diamond |
| Insured in the UK | Read the policy's lock clause, then match the grade to the insured value |
| Insured in the Netherlands or France | Check the ART star level or the FUB level the insurer names |
| Shopping in the U.S. | Treat Sold Secure and ART marks as lab evidence and look the exact model up |
What Bike Lock Certifications Are
A bike lock certification is a grade awarded by an independent test house after a lock resists a defined attack, with a named tool list and a time limit. It describes how one tested model performed, not how every lock in a brand's range performs.
Sold Secure is the UK test house whose pedal cycle standard grades bicycle locks as Diamond, Gold, Silver or Bronze1. Each grade is tested against tools for a specific amount of time1. The same rating system covers D-locks, chains, folding locks and even ground anchors, so one scale compares every format.
ART is the Dutch approval mark run by Stichting ART, and the test institute SKG-IKOB Certificatie BV tests every ART lock2. The test institute carries out more than 20 tests, including freeze, dust, corrosion, cutting and tensile strength tests2.
FUB is the French cyclists' federation, whose lock commission runs resistance tests every year on the locks on the market5. It classes approved locks in two distinct approval levels5. Denmark's Varefakta mark and the French Vélo SRA label are further national schemes, each with its own approval record.
Design awards, general safety or conformity marks, cutting videos and a brand's own score are not certifications, because none of them runs a published theft attack test.
Why Bike Lock Certifications Matter
Bike lock certifications matter because they are the one form of security evidence that a buyer, an insurer and a rival brand can all check. AssetSure states that most insurance providers require a lock that meets set Sold Secure standards3. Its table links the grade to the insured value of the bicycle, and Silver covers bicycles insured between £1,501 and £2,5003.
Sold Secure puts the insurer point plainly:
It's a good idea to check with your insurance company before making a purchase as providers will often specify the Sold Secure grade they require you to use.
Three gaps catch riders who skip that check:
- A box can show a grade the lock no longer holds, because Sold Secure amends products that stop achieving their grade1.
- An e-bike sits outside the pedal cycle scale, and Sold Secure points e-bike owners to its separate Powered Cycle ratings1.
- An ART approval is valid for 3 years after it is issued unless part of the testing is repeated to extend it4.
Design has a security role too. A certified lock that stays at home because it's awkward to carry protects nothing, so handling belongs beside the grade in every decision.
The Six-Question Certification Framework
The Six-Question Certification Framework reads any lock rating through six questions. They ask who tested the lock, which grade it holds, which national mark applies, what the test covered, which product it names and what it does on paper. The questions were ordered by following a buyer from the box on the shelf to a theft claim.
Who stands behind the claim: independent tests versus other evidence
An internal security scale is a score a brand gives its own locks on a scale it defines itself. Other common evidence answers different questions. A design award judges form and use, a CE or UL mark concerns general conformity or safety, and a cutting video shows one attack on one sample. An independent scheme brings outside parties into the process: the committee behind the ART mark includes suppliers, manufacturers, the test institute, the certification body and insurers2. For U.S. shoppers, Sold Secure and ART are foreign schemes, yet the test behind each mark is the same wherever the lock is sold.
A lock without a certification isn't proven unsafe, but it has no grade a buyer or an insurer can check, so it should count as unproven.
Deeper read: bike lock security ratings explained.
Deeper read: manufacturer security scores versus independent ratings.
Deeper read: whether an unrated bike lock is unsafe.
Deeper read: design awards versus security certifications.
Deeper read: whether CE or UL marks mean theft resistance.
Deeper read: independent certification versus cutting-test videos.
Deeper read: bike lock certifications in the USA.
Which Sold Secure grade: Bronze to Diamond, pedal and powered
Sold Secure ties each grade to an attack and a parking setting. Bronze faces a short attack with a single, easily concealed hand tool and suits a quick stop at a cafe or shop. Silver is tested against an enhanced tool list and suits lower value bicycles in a town centre. Gold faces an extended attack with heavy duty tools, for a high value bike or a big city. Diamond adds some power tools and machine based testing1. E-bikes have a separate Powered Cycle scale, and Sold Secure states that Pedal Cycle Diamond is equivalent to Powered Cycle Gold1.
The grade should match where the bike spends its longest unattended hours; between equal grades, reach, weight and handling decide.
Deeper read: what Sold Secure Gold means.
Deeper read: Sold Secure Gold for folding locks.
Deeper read: when Sold Secure Silver is enough.
Deeper read: who needs Sold Secure Diamond.
Deeper read: the Pedal Cycle versus Powered Cycle rating difference.
Deeper read: comparing two locks with the same Sold Secure rating.
Which national mark applies: ART, FUB, Varefakta and Vélo SRA
The right national mark depends on where the bike is insured, because each country's insurers point to their own scheme. Dutch bicycle insurers require an ART lock with at least two stars2. An ART 3 lock is a lock with good theft protection for bicycles with a high theft risk and for mopeds2. In France, insurers require the higher of the two FUB levels5. A lock holding several marks has passed several separate tests, but no body's grade converts directly into another body's grade.
Several marks widen where a lock is accepted; they don't add up to a higher grade, so the mark the policy names is the one to check first.
Deeper read: ART 3 certification for folding locks.
Deeper read: what ART 2-star approval means.
Deeper read: how Varefakta approval works in Denmark.
Deeper read: what the French FUB label tests.
Deeper read: what the Vélo SRA approval checks.
Deeper read: what multiple approval marks add.
What the test covered: tools, time and conditions
An attack test is a timed attempt by a test house to defeat a lock with a defined set of tools. In ART's attack test 2, for 3 or 4 stars, the lock must withstand opening attempts with specific tools for a few minutes2. The lower FUB level faces tools with dimensions under 30 cm, and the higher level faces tools under 75 cm5. On the Sold Secure pedal cycle scale, the Diamond description is the one that mentions power tools1. ART also runs separate freeze, dust and corrosion tests2.
A pass shows the lock resisted those tools for that time in a lab, so it sets a floor. On the street, tools, lock condition and the anchor decide how much of it survives.
Deeper read: how locks are tested against bolt cutters and levering.
Deeper read: which ratings test angle grinders.
Deeper read: whether security tests include picking and drilling.
Deeper read: why test time is not a theft-proof promise.
Deeper read: weather, corrosion and freeze testing.
Deeper read: whether a certified lock can still be cut.
Which product the certificate names: model, size and status
A certificate names a specific product, so its grade covers that model, in that size, in the configuration that was tested. A cable bundled with a graded U-lock, a different length of the same chain or a rebranded version isn't covered unless the certifier lists it. Status changes over time too. Sold Secure amends products that no longer achieve a specific pedal cycle grading1, and an ART lock whose approval isn't renewed is no longer approved by ART from that date4.
Matching the exact model, size and current listing is the step that turns a badge on a box into proof.
Deeper read: whether a cable in a certified U-lock kit is certified.
Deeper read: what a chain lock rating covers.
Deeper read: whether a rating covers every size and version.
Deeper read: verifying a certification in the official database.
Deeper read: whether a certification can expire or be withdrawn.
What the rating does on paper: insurance, warranty and guarantees
The policy, not the packaging, sets the grade a claim needs. In AssetSure's table, a Sold Secure Bronze lock covers bicycles with an insured value of less than £15003. ART adds a timing rule: if the policy was taken out while the lock was approved, the approval holds for the whole term of the policy4. A certification is also separate from a product warranty, which covers defects, and from any anti-theft guarantee, whose written terms set their own conditions.
Reading the lock clause and the guarantee terms before buying is far easier than finding a mismatch after a theft.
Deeper read: insurance approved bike lock ratings.
Deeper read: warranty versus anti-theft guarantee.
How to Choose a Certified Bike Lock
The most important criterion is the grade the insurer or the parking risk demands, confirmed on the certifier's own database on the day of purchase. Format and handling come second, but they decide whether the lock gets used at all.
- Read the policy's lock clause and note the scheme and the grade it names.
- Set the grade by bike value and parking risk, aiming higher as the bike's value rises1.
- Search the exact model and size on the certifier's database, because Sold Secure updates its pedal cycle listings daily1.
- For an e-bike, use a Powered Cycle rating or Pedal Cycle Diamond, which is tested with the same tools, attack methods and time limits as Powered Cycle Gold1.
- Check what else is in the box, since a bundled cable or padlock carries the grade only if the listing says so.
- Pick the format that'll be carried every day: folding lock, U-lock or chain.
The Sold Secure database shows how that check works for one maker. It lists the Foldylock Elite 110 and the Foldylock Classic 100 at Pedal Cycle Gold, and Mason U Lock sizes 140, 180, 220 and 300 at Pedal Cycle Diamond6. The same listing places the Viking Silver Chain Lock at Pedal Cycle Silver6.
Worked example, calculated from cited inputs: an ART approval issued in 2026 is valid for 3 years, which runs to 20294. A partial retest can extend it by 3 years, so 2029 + 3 = 2032 is the latest year that approval can stand4. On the French side, the higher FUB tool limit of 75 cm divided by the lower limit of 30 cm gives 75 / 30 = 2.55. Result: an ART listing's date shows how long its status can last.
Compare All Bike Lock Certification Schemes
The three independent schemes grade on different scales, yet each one names a test body, a method and a place to verify the result. A brand's internal scale has none of the three.
| Feature | Sold Secure | ART | FUB | Brand internal scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who tests | Sold Secure test house | SKG-IKOB Certificatie BV for Stichting ART | FUB lock commission | The lock maker |
| Scale | Four main grades, Bronze to Diamond1 | 1 to 5 stars2 | Two approval levels5 | Set by each brand |
| What is tested | Set tools for a set time1 | More than 20 tests; the attack test sets the stars2 | Tools under 30 cm or under 75 cm5 | No shared method |
| Insurer use | Grade named in UK policies3 | At least two stars for bicycle insurers2 | Higher level required by insurers5 | Not used |
| Where to verify | Sold Secure product search | Approval number of 4 digits2 | FUB approved lock list | Brand material only |
Choose Sold Secure if: the bike is insured in the UK, or the policy names a Sold Secure grade.
Choose ART if: the bike is insured in the Netherlands.
Choose FUB if: the bike is insured in France.
Treat a brand scale as: a product label, never as proof for an insurer.
Deeper read: every bike lock security rating compared.
Common Mistakes With Bike Lock Ratings
Mistake 1: Comparing two brands' internal scores
Why it is a mistake: each internal scale is defined by its own maker, with no shared tool list, time limit or test body. A score near the top of one brand's range says nothing about a lock from another brand.
What to do instead: compare the independent certification both locks share, such as a Sold Secure grade or an ART star level.
Read more: manufacturer security scores versus independent ratings.
Mistake 2: Trusting the box instead of the current listing
Why it is a mistake: ratings change after a product ships. Sold Secure amends products that no longer achieve a specific pedal cycle grading1, and a lapsed ART approval ends on that date4. Packaging printed years earlier can't show either change.
What to do instead: search the exact model name on the certifier's database before buying, and keep a screenshot of the listing with the receipt.
Read more: verifying a certification in the official database.
Mistake 3: Assuming every part of a kit shares the grade
Why it is a mistake: a certificate covers the configuration that was tested. A cable sold with a U-lock, a padlock swapped onto a chain or a longer version of the same lock can sit outside that record.
What to do instead: match the listing to the exact assembly. An integrated chain lock such as the Viking Silver appears in the Sold Secure listing as one product6, so its head and chain were graded together.
Read more: whether a cable in a certified U-lock kit is certified.
Mistake 4: Reading a certification as a theft-proof promise
Why it is a mistake: each Sold Secure grade is tested against tools for a specific amount of time1. A thief on the street isn't bound by that tool list or that clock.
What to do instead: treat the grade as a floor, then add a solid anchor, a tight lock-up and the shortest unattended time the day allows.
Read more: whether a certified lock can still be cut.
Best Bike Lock Certifications by Use Case
Best for riders insured in the Netherlands or France
Riders insured in the Netherlands should look for the ART star level the policy names, since Dutch bicycle insurers require at least two stars2.
Deeper read: what ART 2-star approval means.
Best for e-bike owners
E-bike owners should start on the Powered Cycle scale or with Pedal Cycle Diamond, the grade Sold Secure equates with Powered Cycle Gold1. Then the policy decides whether that grade is enough.
Deeper read: the Pedal Cycle versus Powered Cycle rating difference.
Best for very high risk parking
Very high value bicycles left in very high risk areas are what Sold Secure aims Diamond at1. Every Mason U-lock size, including the Mason 220, is listed at Pedal Cycle Diamond6.
Deeper read: who needs Sold Secure Diamond.
Best for daily city commuters
Daily commuters with a high value bike in a big city are Sold Secure's Gold profile1. A Gold folding lock that rides quietly on the frame and clips off its mount is the kind of lock that comes along on every trip.
Deeper read: Sold Secure Gold for folding locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the highest Sold Secure bike lock rating?
Diamond is the highest of the four main Sold Secure pedal cycle grades, followed by Gold, Silver and Bronze1. Diamond locks face an extended tool list that includes some power tools and machine based testing. Sold Secure aims the grade at very high value bicycles kept in very high risk areas. Pedal Cycle Diamond also equals Powered Cycle Gold, so the same lock can suit an e-bike owner who needs that level.
How do I check if a bike lock is really certified?
Search the exact model name and size on the certifier's own database. Sold Secure updates its pedal cycle listings daily and amends products that no longer achieve a grade1. Each listing shows the maker, the model and the grading, such as Pedal Cycle Gold. ART locks carry a 4-digit approval number that can be matched to the scheme's record. A screenshot of the listing makes useful proof for an insurer.
Can a certified bike lock still be cut?
Yes. A certification shows that a lock resisted a defined set of tools for a defined time in a test, not that it can never be defeated. Each Sold Secure grade is tested against tools for a specific amount of time1, and only the Diamond description mentions power tools. On the street, a thief can bring other tools, more time or a weaker anchor. A higher grade buys more resistance, and good locking habits protect the rest.
How long is an ART approval valid?
An ART approval is in principle valid for 3 years after it is issued4. After part of the tests are carried out again, it can be extended by 3 years. If an insurance policy was taken out while the lock was approved, the approval holds for the whole policy term. A lock whose approval lapses is no longer ART approved from that date, so the date on the record matters as much as the number of stars.
Which lock rating does my insurance require?
The policy's lock clause names the rating, usually as a Sold Secure grade in the UK or an ART star level in the Netherlands. In AssetSure's table, Gold covers bicycles insured above £2,500, fixed accessories included3. In the Netherlands, bicycle insurers ask for at least two ART stars. Whatever the clause names, the exact model should be checked on the certifier's database before purchase.
How This Guide Was Built
The methodology behind this guide is a desk review of public pages from Sold Secure, Stichting ART, the FUB and one UK insurer, read in October 2026. Each figure links to the page that carries it, and each supporting sentence was checked against the live page. The Six-Question framework follows a buyer from the box to a claim. Seatylock editors hold editorial responsibility and re-check the guide when a certifier changes its published criteria.
What This Hub Does Not Cover
- Step-by-step locking technique and anchor choice: this hub explains what a rating proves, not how to lock a bike to a rack.
- Motorcycle and scooter security ratings, beyond the e-bike link between Pedal Cycle Diamond and Powered Cycle Gold.
- Insurer-by-insurer rules: terms change, so the wording of the policy in force always governs.
References
- Sold Secure - Sold Secure Bike Lock Ratings Explained (Pedal Cycle Ratings Guide)
- Stichting ART - Over het keurmerk (About the approval mark)
- AssetSure - Choosing an Approved Bicycle Lock
- Stichting ART - Veelgestelde vragen (Frequently asked questions)
- FUB - Tests antivols (lock tests by the French cyclists' federation)
- Sold Secure - Approved product search, Seatylock listings
Next Read
Independent certifications are the only lock ratings that compare across brands. The grade that counts is the one the insurer names, matched to the exact model and confirmed on the certifier's own database on the day of purchase.