The ART Foundation is a Dutch organization committed to preventing bicycle theft by improving the security level of bicycle locks. Founded in 1982, ART has become the top security seal for manufacturers and insurers of bicycles in the Netherlands and worldwide. The foundation extensively tests locks for durability, weather resistance, environmental resistance, and attack resistance, awarding approved locks with the ART quality mark. ART uses a star rating system (1-5 stars) to indicate security levels. An ART 1 lock provides basic security against opportunistic theft and is recommended as a secondary lock to secure bikes to fixed objects. ART 2 locks offer quality protection and are typically required by bicycle insurance policies. Higher ratings (ART 3-5) are designed for scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles with increasing levels of security. The foundation is a joint project of the RAI Association, the ANWB, various insurance companies, and SKG-IKOB. ART advises cyclists to always use an ART-approved lock and to secure their bikes to fixed objects with a second ART lock for maximum protection. The organization's testing standards are regularly updated by a technical committee to address the latest theft methods.
