About Bike Theft > DAC Get Smart Quick > DAC Principles
Natural Surveillance

Natural surveillance aims to use environmental design to ensure that the presence, and any suspicious behaviour, of offenders will be visible and interpretable to others.

Bikeoff research shows that many cyclists park their bikes in locations that enable them to see their bike from the window of the destination they have cycled to (and parked outside). Cycling advocacy groups recommend locating cycle parking as close to the destination that it serves as possible, in facilities where there are attendants. This allows for those who guard or manage the facility to also provide guardianship to the bike parking by keeping an eye on parked bikes.

Magnus Pettersen from Central Saint Martins won first prize in D&AD Awards 'Social Design' section responding to brief set by the Design Council that asked students to 'create a product, service or communication piece designed to specifically reduce crime'. The BLABR_stand acts as both bike rack and meeting point, so that people gathering by the bike stands might also keep an eye on the bikes, thus deterring thieves.