We built an anti-cycle theft paint bomb

The anti-cycle theft smoke bomb we featured last week inspired us to take another Heath Robinson-style flight of fancy. Thieves might be becoming ever more brazen, but the last thing they’ll expect to confront is a bicycle paint bomb.

Hidden within the tubing of our fiendish DIY bike rack is a canister of  brightly coloured ‘criminal identifier’ – a spray gel sold legally in Britain. While the bicycle is hanging in place, its weight prevents the marker gel canister from firing. However, when the bike is removed by a thief, a powerful spring contracts and causes the canister to spray its contents into the face of the thief.

The gel causes no harm, but if not immediately washed away with clean water, stains the skin red for up to two weeks. The design features a safety pin to ensure the spray is not activated my mistake.

Our bicycle paint bomb comprises a criminal identifier marker gel, cheap bicycle pump, 38 mm waste pipe and three pipe clamps – costing a grand total of £25. The only tools we used were a drill and hand saw.

Cycle insurance

Here at the ETA, we don’t think you should have to resort to building booby traps for your bike – we’re here to take the worry out of bike ownership. If your cycle is stolen, we’ve got an online claims system that allows you to log the theft at any time of the day or night. And our in-house claims team ensures you won’t be passed from pillar to post – just one of the reasons we were named Claims Team of the Year 2022.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.