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How To Lock Your Bike
by JoelGuelphOver at Quickrelease.tv, they have a great (definitive?) article on the best ways to lock your bike and foil bike thieves, called “Lock It or Lose It.” The videos showing public apathy are especially eye-opening.
Here is one tip from the article:
A bottle jack can only be used on a u-lock where there’s space to squeeze in. Fill that space with frame, spokes and security post and the bike thief will choose to breach a u-lock with space.
I found this little tidbit to be a bit saddening:
Cycle theft is a serious disincentive to cycling. According to a French study, only 25 per cent of cyclists re-buy a new bike after a theft, and of these 10 per cent buy a cheaper bike than they had before (20 per cent cheaper on average). A further 23 per cent won’t return to cycling at all.
Lock up your bikes!
I thought the definitive bike lock article was already written years ago by Sheldon. See: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
I use a simple cable lock. I am fortunate to have a secure place at work. This is also why I ride a bike that is older, rough and worn. If I am leaving it for some time, I run one of those little cables through the seat and rack. My friend had her fenders stolen, I have had lights stolen, now I take them with me.
“I found this little tidbit to be a bit saddening:
(…only 25 per cent of cyclists re-buy a new bike after a theft, and of these 10 per cent buy a cheaper bike than they had before (20 per cent cheaper on average).”
But how many buy second hand bikes?
Why must a bike be new?
What’s wrong with getting veteran bikes
back on the road and saving a little $?
Maybe they meant “less expensive”
rather than “cheaper”?
+1 on Sheldon Brown’s method. Lights, computers, frame pump all get thrown in my backpack or messenger bag, even if my stop is only 5 min. Those are the easiest things to steal. Can anyone recommend a shorter cable to loop through the saddle rails?
Seamus, that is a valid point. I would be interested to know how many of the 75% that didn’t buy a new bike bought a used one, or had another bike that they started riding.
I agree fully that bikes do not need to be new. My daily commuter is a 10+ year old Bianchi hybrid. If only North American consumer culture could be convinced of the same sentiment!
Have you checked out bluecollarmtb.com?
P.S. Isn’t the difference between “less expensive” & “cheaper” just a marketing department?
Seamus and JoelGuelph. If nobody bought used bikes there would be no bike thieves.
I see your point, and actually I agree. I’m just sayin’.
db i made my own cable to prevent the seat going walkies
a length of 6mm cable cut to length with crimped eyes and locked together
I have a seven foot long Kryptoflex cable that I figure 8 through the frame and wheels and around whatever I’m locking fast to and finish it with a Master Lock No. 40.
This will be until I can get a decent U-lock and a second Kryptoflex cable, that way I can tie the bike and trailer together and lock it fast to the racks or whatever.