Originally Posted by bonechilling

When I worked at a big grocery store downtown, I left a U-lock on a parking meter all the time. My hours varied wildly between working at 4 AM to closing shifts, and at least one, but usually two weekend days per week. That left my lock affixed to a post, un-utilized for most of regular "business" hours.

Far and away the most logical explanation is that the owner left this here to access later.