Commuting - Installing own bike locker at work

In talking with my manager, my bike was the 3rd stolen this week. People had the locks, had the markings and had the serial numbers registered...it's time to upgrade...

So is there a personal bike lockerbox that I can buy that'll plug into the bike rack and just stay at work???? I'm even willing to drive it down there and slide it in the rack myself.

http://www.ida.net/users/bikegd/
Looks like they're around $420 each.

You might also consider contacting the city if so many people commute to your workplace by bike get their bikes stolen.

http://www.ida.net/users/bikegd/
Looks like they're around $420 each.

You might also consider contacting the city if so many people commute to your workplace by bike get their bikes stolen.

hmmm...it's big and would take alot of red-tape to get that thing in here. I'm done relying on someone else to watch my bike. It needs to be a long thin rectangle that'll cuddle in or next to the bike rack with a pad lock. If it weight under 80lbs that'd be great.

Looks like I'll have to make one myself??

You can see if they can just weld sheet metal partitions on the bike rack. They just need to be about 2 ft high. It'll make it next to impossible to get a tool inside to cut a chain or u-lock.
Something that looks like this that'll enclose the bottom of the bike rack and be so narrow that they won't be able to reach in there with a tool. Of course the real thing will be a lot narrower, just narrow enough to slip the wheels + frame into.

Sl,
You seem to have the right idea. To scale it down, I'd need to make/buy just one of those stalls. Hmmm... another geek project appears to be emerging.

In talking with my manager, my bike was the 3rd stolen this week.
You got your bike stolen?

When you talk to your manager, let him/her know that it would be a simple thing, and save you big bucks,
to stow your ride indoors, preferably where you can see it.

I'm fortunate in that we have security guards that require photo id at every entrance and card-key access to my work station. (My bike sits with me at my desk.)

Do you know how to use a wire welder? Get some stock steel, weld something together that fits your needs on location, use powerloads to bolt it to the ground, and you're set. That's how I'd do it, anway. You could make it an art piece. :)

You could make it an art piece. :)
My workplace would believe that! Actually The company security dpt was pretty raw about the whole thing. They said "no" to storing a bike inside. No mud on the carpets....

And the note said we're closing the issue, because we don't handle any thefts under $25,000. And "if it's not too much trouble, please dispose of the red bike that the thieves deserted to make room for more bikes" [err...to be stolen?!]

I replied that the matter is not closed unless their insurance wants to pay for the loss and ... 'suse me, but the the thief rode a stolen bike, and swapped for mine. That red bike belongs to another commuter who'd proably like it back'.

I doubt that I can make them do anything tho.

You got your bike stolen?

When you talk to your manager, let him/her know that it would be a simple thing, and save you big bucks,
to stow your ride indoors, preferably where you can see it.

I'm fortunate in that we have security guards that require photo id at every entrance and card-key access to my work station. (My bike sits with me at my desk.)

Proximity is your best bet...Don't count on video. The thief was supposedly on video and I ordered the tapes but security wouldn't give them to the police or let me view them. Fishy.

Just curious, what kind of lock did you have? Both masterlock and kryptonite offer a $1000 minimum theft guarantee.

Just curious, what kind of lock did you have? Both masterlock and kryptonite offer a $1000 minimum theft guarantee.

They were neither but that's good to keep in mind. Do you have to mail in a serial number of the lock to register it?

Just beware of the hassle of registering for the theft coverage. You need like 3 different proofs of purchase and a signed appraisal of your bike.

VR. Generacly speaking...What kind of employer is this? Not bike friendly..
Mud on carpet..Redicilious..Mud is so easy to wipe off tires...
Is this a large company?
Do not most governmental agencies encourage biking to work...They talk about tax credits to employees, or maybe even employers.
Here we have strict air pollution control measures..Employers get credits for encouraging alternative transportation.. Guess, not there...If case is closed, guess nothing you can do...Can't tick off an employer too much...
I sure would invest in a top notch lock.

Sorry to hear about your loss of wheels.



Actually The company security dpt was pretty raw about the whole thing. They said "no" to storing a bike inside. No mud on the carpets....

And the note said we're closing the issue, because we don't handle any thefts under $25,000. And "if it's not too much trouble, please dispose of the red bike that the thieves deserted to make room for more bikes" [err...to be stolen?!]

and


The thief was supposedly on video and I ordered the tapes but security wouldn't give them to the police or let me view them. Fishy.

Jeez, who do you have for security department? Retired nazi soldiers from WW2? What kind of security department will not help the police? Or even has the option to refuse? I liked your response to them, though. Your security department seems busy concentrating on all kinds of other things (mud on carpets, for example) than security. Is that something you could discuss with your employer and maybe help them focus?

I believe Sheldon Brown suggests in his web site to use two high quality locks - one U-lock and one chain. Apparently the tool required to break one will not work with the other and vice versa. You could have one of the locks permanently locked to the rack to avoid carrying all the weight around.

--J

I'm luck enough to work for a bike freindly company my bike sits right next to my desk. I'm across from Gasworks right on the B/G trail so no way am I leaving it outside all day. Krypto will gave you up to $1000 to replace any stolen bike, and yes you have to register with them. I have noticed that commuters regularly leave u locks on bike racks the use so they don't have to haul it around qith them. I can't believe the security at your building won't turn over the tapes. If someone is stealing bikes then eventually they might start to break into cars etc. It would be in their best intrest to turn them over.

They were neither but that's good to keep in mind. Do you have to mail in a serial number of the lock to register it?

Q: I just purchased a Kryptonite bicycle U-lock. How do I validate my anti-theft protection offer? (US, Canada, Germany, Sweden and UK only.)

A: Within 15 days of lock purchase, you must send the following items to Kryptonite or its authorized representatives outside of the U.S.: (A) your completed Kryptonite Lock registration form, (B) a copy of your itemized lock bill of sale, (C) a copy of your bicycle bill of sale, or a dated and signed dealer appraisal reflecting market value, not including accessories, (D) proof of bicycle registration (if available), (E) your check or money order for anti-theft protection coverage on those locks requiring payment for the first year or to extend your guarantee for a maximum of three years.

Usually you file a police report within 72 hours, call up kryptonite and send them the police report along with the lock. So if the thieves take the broken lock with them, you're out of luck. Though I'm not sure why they would since it's broken anyway and from what the police say, they're not often likely to take evidence of the crime with them.

Regardless, some of the kryptonite locks are so massive, if they can break through to them, they might as well have the bike. Get a chain lock in combination with a u-lock, if it's good enough for new york city, it'll probably be good enough anywhere else.

VR. Generacly speaking...What kind of employer is this? Not bike friendly..
Mud on carpet..Redicilious..Mud is so easy to wipe off tires...
Is this a large company?
Do not most governmental agencies encourage biking to work...They talk about tax credits to employees, or maybe even employers.
Here we have strict air pollution control measures..Employers get credits for encouraging alternative transportation.. Guess, not there...If case is closed, guess nothing you can do...Can't tick off an employer too much...
I sure would invest in a top notch lock.

If I posted the Co. name, crooks would be riding in on buses, cross country to "cash in" on the $25,000 loop-hole! The item has to be workth $25K before they'll do anything. That seems like a lot of small cars and sterios to me! They promote Bike-to-Work and parking is super tight.

I'm luck enough to work for a bike freindly company my bike sits right next to my desk. I'm across from Gasworks right on the B/G trail so no way am I leaving it outside all day. Krypto will gave you up to $1000 to replace any stolen bike, and yes you have to register with them. I have noticed that commuters regularly leave u locks on bike racks the use so they don't have to haul it around qith them. I can't believe the security at your building won't turn over the tapes. If someone is stealing bikes then eventually they might start to break into cars etc. It would be in their best intrest to turn them over.
Campus security said they had more car break ins and don't have time to worry about bike transport problems. B/G Trail? That's a nice trail over there.

The problem with the chains and u-locks is they don't protect the rest of the bike. Seems like it's a challenge instead. I'm thinking a fabric cover or portable locker that bolts to the rack and one good lock would work. Home Depot didn't have anything like that!

If I posted the Co. name, crooks would be riding in on buses, cross country to "cash in" on the $25,000 loop-hole! The item has to be workth $25K before they'll do anything. That seems like a lot of small cars and sterios to me! They promote Bike-to-Work and parking is super tight.

Post the name of the company and I bet something will be done about the loophole!

I can't believe that they wouldn't hand over tapes of the parking lot(if they had them) if some managerial-upper-echelon-type-person's car got stolen.

Maybe you should take the Manager of Security to small claims court for the cost of your bike and see what happens? (maybe not, but it sure is fun to dream. . .)

So this all took place on private property? Geez, for a while there I was wondering about how you were gonna get away with constructing something attached to a bike rack, assuming it was a parking rack on public property somewhere.

What's remarkable is that your company appears oblivious to the fact that there are people routinely trespassing on their property. If a bike thief stepped onto your employer's property, came up to your bike to cut off the lock with a bolt cutter, and tripped on a pebble on the pavement in the process, s/he could sue your employer. Is that possibility lost on them? How do they handle thefts from vehicles? Why don't they just secure the whole lot with a fence and a card-secured access gate? Expensive, yeah, but it would serve all employees, car drivers and bicyclists alike.

VR.I think it is the Kryptonite locks...Like a u bolt..Don't they just take off the front wheel...Doube it against the back wheel, put the U bolt lock through all three parts of the bike. Then most of the significant parts of the bike are secure...
Can't torch through these locks, supposedely.... Might steal your saddle.,...Just take significant accessories off and take it with you to your work area? Man, continuing this route...Anyone touces my bike, I would flip out... I fear...

So this all took place on private property? Geez, for a while there I was wondering about how you were gonna get away with constructing something attached to a bike rack,

...appears oblivious to...trespassing. If a bike thief ...and tripped on a pebble on the pavement in the process, s/he could sue your employer. Why don't they just secure the whole lot with a fence and a card-secured access gate? Expensive, yeah, but it would serve all employees, car drivers and bicyclists alike.

They don't handle car loses under $25K .Well they handed out new parking passes for cars last month that should fix it right???

They'd probably freak at a welder or jackhammer. But they'd probably go along with a short low profile box "just showing up". Nobody seems to sell that.

From what I understand from the other 2 thefts last week, they seem to blow through any type of lock. Do you think some sort of Motorcycle cover *and* a lock would work?

Let's see.

The security department suposedly has a video of a theft taking place on their property but will not cooperate with you or the police to help recover the property.

Because the property stolen was not worth $25,000, the security department has no interest.

I hate to be the one to let you in on the secret, but there is no security department at your employer. Those guys in uniform are company donut testers. You can tell because they wear pistol shaped donut holders on their belts.

I guess you need to get a $25,000 bike.

They don't handle car loses under $25K .Well they handed out new parking passes for cars last month that should fix it right???

They'd probably freak at a welder or jackhammer. But they'd probably go along with a short low profile box "just showing up". Nobody seems to sell that.

From what I understand from the other 2 thefts last week, they seem to blow through any type of lock. Do you think some sort of Motorcycle cover *and* a lock would work?

Ask coworkers what kind of lock they used that was compromised. I seriously doubt they just "blew through" 2 kryptonite locks. After all, their toughest series of lock's named after bike crime capitol of the world, new york city.
I'm not sure what kind of covers you're referring to but if it's just like a tarp, I doubt security by obscurity works in that case. You'll have better lock pairing up two different kinds of locks (which would require 2 different tools to break).
You can just weld or cement two thick metal plates into the ground around a bike post, put the bike between the metal plates so that it leaves very little room for the thief to work with in the event he/she decides to mess with it.
If it's a pole you're locking it to, put your bike up vertically on it's back tire then lock it with a lock around the wheel and frame at the top and bottom. It's near impossible to try to pick a lock that's hanging off the ground unless the thief brings in a ladder too.
The key isn't to make it unbreakable, just to make it so much of a hassle that the thief decides it's not worth the effort and moves on.

If you have a car, why not take it to work on Monday with your bike. Ride your bike home and leave the car. Each day, ride to work and store your bike in the car. On Friday, drive home with your bike.

Bingo! Instant bike locker.

company donut testers. You can tell because they wear pistol shaped donut holders on their belts.
I guess you need to get a $25,000 bike.

Oh that's what that was in the holster! :D

I guess you need to get a $25,000 bike.

Now that has got to be the BEST suggestion so far. I would especially like to watch your company doughnut testers' faces when you informed them there's a USD25K bike parked outside. THAT might get them busy... :beer:

--J

That's always an idea, buy two Dogma Ego's and weld them together.
Dogma Ego Tandem...

Here's a thought, but you might not like it:

Get a REALLY cheap bike - it doesn't always help, but depending on the thief... Also replace your quick releases with bolts - they'll have to have a wrench to even steal a tire or your saddle.

Fixed gear bikes are also less likely to get stolen, and have less components to steal. My current ride is locked up all the time with only a small krypto u-lock between the frame and leaned against a building. If anybody were to take it, they'd have to carry it, because there's not enough room to get in and break the lock.

I actually had a fixed gear that I forgot to lock up outside of a bar one night. I only knew someone tried to steal it was that it was leaning against a different post. I think they picked it up, realized they couldn't coast and decided it wasn't worth their time...

I've seen these installed at a nearby office:

BikeLid Systems (http://www.bikelid.com/)

Not sure how much more security these buy you, just another alternative.

Here's a thought, but you might not like it:

Get a REALLY cheap bike - it doesn't always help, but depending on the thief... Also replace your quick releases with bolts - they'll have to have a wrench to even steal a tire or your saddle.

Fixed gear bikes are also less likely to get stolen, and have less components to steal. My current ride is locked up all the time with only a small krypto u-lock between the frame and leaned against a building. If anybody were to take it, they'd have to carry it, because there's not enough room to get in and break the lock.

I actually had a fixed gear that I forgot to lock up outside of a bar one night. I only knew someone tried to steal it was that it was leaning against a different post. I think they picked it up, realized they couldn't coast and decided it wasn't worth their time...

This is a great idea! Also the http://www.bikelid.com/ is a good one.
My attitude last week was, why bother getting another when that one will just get taken also...But with solutions like this, it's easier to shop for another bike.

Fixed gear is great - you'll love it. You start thinking about the ride and the traffic around you, not about shifting the bike. Find a LBS that will let you test ride one for a few hours, and see what you think.

The key isn't to make it unbreakable, just to make it so much of a hassle that the thief decides it's not worth the effort and moves on.

Exactly. Find creative ways to ****** the theft process. As the proverb says, If you can't tie good knots, tie many.

Or apply super glue to your lock one day to catch the "thief". I'll bet you he'll be wearing a security uniform.

Exactly. Find creative ways to ****** the theft process. As the proverb says, If you can't tie good knots, tie many.

Or apply super glue to your lock one day to catch the "thief". I'll bet you he'll be wearing a security uniform.

Well now that the guard admitted that the camera is a fake (oh it never had a camera in it)., I'm thinking of borrowing a Lemond and stationing myself on the open stair way above the rack with some water balloons. :D

Well now that the guard admitted that the camera is a fake (oh it never had a camera in it)...

Oooo, this is getting too good to be true. Don't get me wrong, I am still sorry for your bike, but your company's "security department"... words fail me. I bet the doughnuts are real, though. Like LSD, I am beginning to suspect one of the guards took your bike.

We had a CCTV installed during a major renovation of our office building, and in the final stages of construction work a set of expensive tools were stolen from the site. Security poured over the footage from that weekend, found the perp on tape, but the pictures were too fuzzy to provide any real info. The company responsible for installing the cameras had complained initially that there were too few of them and as a result they had to be installed too far up (to get coverage for the whole area). At least our security bit the bullet and ordered more cameras instead of just saying "case closed". Better late than never.

--J

If you have a car, why not take it to work on Monday with your bike. Ride your bike home and leave the car. Each day, ride to work and store your bike in the car. On Friday, drive home with your bike.

Bingo! Instant bike locker.

umm..no...do you know how easy it is to steal a bike out of a car????

Proximity is your best bet...Don't count on video. The thief was supposedly on video and I ordered the tapes but security wouldn't give them to the police or let me view them. Fishy.

it does sound very fishy-could it be that these people who laughingly call themselves "security" are actually involved in the thefts?

umm..no...do you know how easy it is to steal a bike out of a car????

About as easy as stealing one off a bike rack - except you have to wander up and down the lot looking for a car with a bike inside instead of going straight to the bike rack and taking your pick.

About as easy as stealing one off a bike rack - except you have to wander up and down the lot looking for a car with a bike inside instead of going straight to the bike rack and taking your pick.

Yep thats why the theft that stole my first Bianchi Grizzly wasted no time breaking into my car to steal it. It is actually easier to steal one from a car than one thats locked to a bike rack. I now never leave my bike in or on a vehicle unattended unless it is locked to something (the bike that is :) )

Oooo, this is getting too good to be true. Don't get me wrong, I am still sorry for your bike, but your company's "security department"... words fail me. I bet the doughnuts are real, though. Like LSD, I am beginning to suspect one of the guards took your bike.


--J

Why would you suspect the guards? hmmm 3 bikes were actually stolen ond differant days last week...Guess there's no way to prove that.

Yep thats why the theft that stole my first Bianchi Grizzly wasted no time breaking into my car to steal it. It is actually easier to steal one from a car than one thats locked to a bike rack. I now never leave my bike in or on a vehicle unattended unless it is locked to something (the bike that is :) )

Wow that's terrible. To steal a bike, it sounds like there's some skill involved. The guy would have to know cars, know how to break in without setting off an alarm *and* be able to assemble a bike pretty quickly.