Two new exhibitions at New London Architecture will launch a free online design resource, Bikeoff.org, featuring over a hundred case studies of cycling facilities and schemes from around the world, aimed at helping architects to “get smart quick” about bike theft and to design secure cycling infrastructure for our cities.

Putting the Brakes on Bike Theft exhibits new bike parking designs that make life easier for cyclists and harder for bike thieves. Cyclised Cities shares concepts that foster the evolution of civilised cycling cities.

Over the last decade city cycling has increased year on year. Increases in cycle use have meant increases in cycle theft, the greatest deterrent to cycling after fears about road safety. Things are getting better, though – according to Transport For London, between 2005 and 2008 cycle use has increased while cycle theft has decreased. That’s the first time that’s happened for a century, apparently.

“There are more cyclists on our roads than ever before and cycle theft, which is the greatest deterrent to cycling after fears about road safety finally appears to be going down,” says Transport for London’s Head of Cycle Centre of Excellence, Rose Ades.

“When Bikeoff started in 2004, bike theft went up but so too did the number of people cycling in London. And then something remarkable happened around 2005-6 – bike theft went down a little and cycling went up even more… There’s still a long way to go … but the work that Bikeoff, in partnership with multiple stakeholders, is delivering, is making a difference.”

The exhibition takes place 16 December 2008 to 30 January 2009 at New London Architecture www.newlondonarchitecture.org