How do I buy a used bike safely?

For a private sale, word for word with the notice on the listing itself:

This bike is sold by a private individual, not a commercial trader. The statutory 14-day right of withdrawal and the statutory warranty do not apply to this purchase.

If you buy from a shop, your statutory consumer rights are owed by the shop, not by Pedalia.

• See it and try it: See the bike in person and test-ride it before you pay.
• Meet in public: Meet in a busy public place, or at the shop itself.
• Ask for proof of ownership: Ask to see the frame number and for the original receipt or other proof that the bike belongs to the seller.
• Watch for warning signs: Be wary of prices far below market value, of time pressure, and of being asked to pay in advance or leave a deposit before you've seen the bike.
• Keep sensitive details to yourself: Never send a copy of your ID or your online banking details.
• Pay directly, never through a link: Never pay through a link someone sends you.

If you suspect a bike is stolen, report the listing with the reason “I believe this bike is stolen”. Reports like this are reviewed with priority. Also contact the police. For how reporting works, see “How do I report a listing, a shop or a user account?”.