Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What's a better locking spot (in or out of view)?

What's a better locking spot in NYC, on an avenue in front of a bunch of people (say at a bus stop) or on a side street? See if it's in front of a lot of people you figure that there is a greater possibility a potential thief will see the bike but that the thief will not take anything because of the being-caught issue but now if the bike is on a side street, the odds are good that no thief will walk by it but if a thief does walk by and wants something, the thief will have open reign. So which is the better spot?

While I'm sure most thieves are brazen enough to steal a bike in plain view if they did they would probably get away with it.

Most people either won't care, will assume it's the owner and the lock is broken, or won't want to approach the thief as they could be armed. Me? I would call the police, but I probably wouldn't confront the thief.

In other words, the trade off is really "How cowardly are most thieves?" and "How likely is it that a thief will find my bike here?"

Ultimately my suggestion is just lock up your bike really well. Most thieves will probably just move onto another bike that's easier to steal.

I don't think the foot traffic matters.
http://neistat.com/pages/video_holding/bikethief_holding.htm
Watch and see. (I know this has been posted before. But, it is relevant, jerks.)

...on an avenue in front of a bunch of people (say at a bus stop) or on a side street?--- The best is to have my bike COMPLETELY OUT OF SIGHT. If that is not possible, then I lock it where a thief thinks that the owner might be watching it, like outside the window of a restaurant or classroom. I would think a bus stop isn't so good because the crowd there is transient so it's unlikely the owner is nearby.

Nowadays people aren't interested in protecting property that isn't theirs. Do you notice what happens when a car alarm goes off? Absolutely nothing except for the few who complain that the damn thing is too loud! No one gives a poop about someone stealing your bike. And they're not going to approach a thief who may potentially be armed. It's not worth the risk for them. No matter where you lock your bike, use more than one lock, say a mini and a cable/chain as well, lock it where you can see it, and try not to leave it locked up for too long. IF you're gonna be long, bring it in, or leave it at home!

get an invisibility blanket, that way no one can see it.

http://www.lumenbrite.com/students/hg/help.htm

scroll to the bottom.

thanks dustinlikewhat for bringing the invisibility blanket to the masses, now everyone will know. i guess i really need to lock up my bike now…