Commuting - Commuting? Where is the lockdown

This topic has probably been drag through the mud about a thousand times on here. If everyone could humour me one last time. I was wondering where or what do people lock or storee there bikes when they are at work. I wouldn't mind at all biking more places but what do i do with my bike.

At work (a college) I lock it (Kryptoite D-Lock) to a section of railing just outside the office window. Only had one problem leaving it outside at work, and that was when I had to keep it more in view of passers by, when the saddle was used as an ash-tray...

In towns anything handy, preferably in full-view and not for too long.

Richard

I work on the 4th floor of a five story building and I take my bike up the elevator and take it into my cubicle with me. I haven't had anyone say anything yet. The boss doesn't even blink. Usually says "Oh I see you're bikin' today". That's cool.

Some people in the building are a bit suprised when the elevator door opens and there I am in all my glory of cycling clothes and backpack asking for room to wheel my steed out the door. Most people just smile and some even hold the double doors open for me as I exit the building. I'm lucky that the building isn't real full of tenants.

I used to work in another office on the first floor and had an entrance off the main parking lot. I stored it in a back store room. The bike did get in the way when someone wanted to get something and I did almost incur anger once when a secretary accidently rubbed her silken slacks against the chain. She forgave me later. I've since learned to put the chain-side in toward the wall to avoid messing up co-workers clothes.

Other suggestions are:

If you have a storage room that is secure.

A janitorial closet and the cleaning staff doesn't mind. Make friends with them and they'll probably let you keep it there. They usually work nights anyway, right?

Outside under a canopy and locked securely with maybe a cover for rain protection are all ideas. See bike cover here (http://www.adv-cycling.org/cgi-shl/webc.exe/advsales/st_prod.html?p_prodid=487&p_catid=32&sid=3C5f6HWT)

Everyplace is different and you have to be bold and imaginative in your solutions.

If you can't bring it in the building, maybe bug the boss or building management for a secure bike locker. They dedicate lots of money and space for car parking, why not a place for bikes? Good luck.

I think every situation is different. I bring mine right to my desk. Wouldn't want someone else lusting after her.

today I brought my bike upstairs because I couldn't find my lock - normally I leave it locked to a bike rack outside the front doors - I'm not too worried about security (bike, as opposed to personal)as I work on Capitol Hill and the place has always been well policed, even more so after 9/11 - there are two police(wo)men about 10 feet from my bike all day

At my old job bikes weren't allowed in the building but I used to sneak it in a back entrance until a security guard busted me

brennser

I wish I could bring my bike into my cubicle, but that wouldn't leave any room for me. Plus, I don't think it is allowed where I work.

When I am at work, my bike stays outside in a bike rack. I'm a little concerned about it being out in the weather, but not much. I've not had any issues yet in terms of vandalism (sp) or theft. Of course, I just started commuting recently.

When I am at home, the bike stays in the apartment. I live alone so I don't have any grief from roommates about having three bikes in the apartment.

Ive left my bike locked to railings outside, in small cupboards under stairs, in utility rooms, and currently in a covered bike rack.

My employer doesn't have any rules for bikes. They do not have bike racks at my office either.

I began leaving my bike in the garage, but during the first night I commuted, we had a tornado warning in our area. Our emergency plan is to open the garage doors in case of power failure. It occured to me that that wasn't a very secure area if the doors were left open.

We have a mulitpurpose room that I am able to use to store my bike. When the room is in use, I can put the bike in my bunk room.

I thought about not bringing my lock to work, but I have been stopping for breakfast on the way home.

I am a new commuter, so I am learning as I go.

A lot of commuters leave a heavy lock at work, and use a lighter lock for carrying.

I have a lockable store room at work so it's out of sight and secure all day.


Originally posted by bikeman
Most people just smile and some even hold the double doors open for me as I exit the building.
I have perfected the art of wheeling my bike out our heavy, single, self closing door by myself. Sometimes if I'm entering or leaving at the same time as other workers they do the polite thing of holding the door open. It makes it a lot trickier negotiating past them but I don't complain. I accept their kind offer rather than seeming ungrateful.

Luckily I get to park in our underground garage and leave a Kryptonite lock on the rail there.

The firm I'm moving to has cellars and a garage (and is 50 yds nearer home)

Luckily, I am able to leave my bike in an extra office right across the hall. If I had to leave a commuter outside I would get an old not-too-good-looking 10 speed from a garage sale or goodwill store, clean up the bearings and cables as necessary and use that for commuting. You can often pick up such a bike for US$15-25, and they actually make great bikes and less attractive to thieves and vandals than your new mtb or roady. I like the idea of leaving a heavy lock at work.
FWIW,
Raymond

Mine is, at present leaning comfortably against one side of my desk; I work in the IS deparment, in a room that few people in the company have access to, so I'd say it's a secure place. :D

As per bosses, I think it really depends on the boss; two of my co-workers are cyclists (one is my boss, the other our WindowsNT admin), so we've actually seriously discussed getting a wall-rack for the coldroom.

I'll second the advice of the above poster; if you have to leave your bike outside, ride a used bike; preferribly one you've coated with rust-colored paint and mud, and lock it down with both a cable lock and a U-lock (Kryptonite, of course). Whilst riding an ultra-spanky[1] road bike is more comfortable, it's also quite a bit more likely to get stolen.

[1] Curse you, Chris L!

There are about five commuters where I work for an aircraft repair and overhaul company. We all store our bikes inside. I keep mine under the scaffolding by the aircraft. Until the company sets up bike racks, this is what I will continue doing.

Originally posted by OhiOH
I think every situation is different. I bring mine right to my desk. Wouldn't want someone else lusting after her.
:eek:

(Cold sweat breaking out; jealousy simmering...)

I take her inside. Safer than grandma's undergarments. ;)

Just a little poetic tomfoolery. Anyway, that's what I do! (OhiOH,
I like your "bike is transportation" bit.)

I got my employer to dedicate the furnace room to bike storage. There is room to hang 5 bikes and hang all that sweaty clothing...and nice and warm so clothes dry out nicely after a wet or winter commute.

If I ride my nice mtb I lock it up in the bike rack (at work - no way would I ride my nice mtb to school - college campus = bad news for bikes). When I ride my commuter to work ('99 Giant Rincon SE) I just leave it in the bike rack and don't even lock it. My boss rides a GF Sugar 3+ & doesn't lock that, which is more than I would do, but it's his bike. Ft. Collins is a low crime area.

It's not that I'm afraid of having my nice MTB stolen if I lock it up on campus, it's that vandalism is not uncommon around here. I'm afraid of having my bike kicked around while locked up, seat stolen, etc. I'm fairly confident that it wouldn't be stolen if I locked it though. At work I'm not at all concerned about anything happening to my bike. I lock the nice one just to keep honest people honest.

Depending on the bike, and where I am going. I have a lock that is always with my commuter, it's in the trunk, so I can always lock it up. At work I haul it in, that is any other bike too. I don't ride the road bike or the fixies with locks, although getting a small one and dropping it in the messenger bag would work I guess. I have taken them in the grocery with me, and at the java joints usually i'm in and out so quick. I know that isn't a deterant, and one day I will walk out and the road will be gone or a fixed... thus the search for a non bulky heavy duty bike lock.

My office at work resembles a bike shop. Not only in my bike there but various accessories like a messenger bag, etc. My bike is always a conversation piece.

I don't lock it up because nobody would dare steal it ... my company owns all our building's space and everyone associates my bike with my bike-commuting.

I arrive at work and make a bee line for the showers so (luckily for them) very few co-workers ever get to see me in my full regalia.

I work in center city Philly, and people who commute to work on their bikes here can put them in secure location in our basement.

Originally posted by naisme
... thus the search for a non bulky heavy duty bike lock.

Have you looked at a Specialized Wedlock or the new Street Cuffs from Master Lock?
Edit: 3-23-05 Street Cuffs suck

If you're going to leave your bike outside all day at work, lock up everything. The frame and both wheels should be locked. (I find it much more convenient to carry at least two locks rather than constantly removing the front wheel to get one lock through both wheels.) Remove whatever you don't want stolen - lights, horn, etc.

In the area where I live, we have bike thieves who go for whatever is easy. They might steal a front wheel or a back wheel that's unsecured. And woe to the person who gets off at work at midnight and finds that they are missing one wheel.

Locked to the bike rack outside. I leave my lock there. I only lock the frame and front wheel. The parking lot at work is restricted access. Not that someone couldn't get in and steal my bike or rear wheel but it's probably not going to happen. The bike is 8 years old and wasn't that expensive when new.

When I was in college and the bike was newer, I would pull the front wheel and lock back, front, and frame to a secure railing, post, or bike rack. At my dorm I would lock it at the bottom of the stair well since I lived on the 3rd floor. Someone tried to steal it one night and couldn't bust the lock but they did end up ruining both my rims and denting the frame up. I guess they were using the bike as the pivot for their crow bar. After that I had to scale the 3 flights every night and keep it on hooks over my bed in my tiny dorm room.

I work at the State Capitol and lock my bike at a rack just outside one of the side doors. I'd prefer bringing it up into my office but I really don't have any space here and, although my boss is generally supportive, I don't think she'd allow it. So I haven't asked.

My normal commute bike is in the shop and so this week I'm riding my good bike. I hate leaving her out of my sight, but I get some compliments from the bike messengers and fellow commuters. I'd probably wouldn't feel that secure about it being outside except that it's just a few feet from the Sgt-At-Arms desk and an armed CHP officer. :-)

Probably not a practical suggestion, but I once visited a network management and software design firm where there were about 8 bikes along the walls of the formal conference room!

After becomming a little more familiar with the folks there I commented on it.

The big owner said "We have a gym in the other building too. We'd rather our employees exercise when they need a break than sit around flailing away at work or just playing on the computers. Besides, I can easily tell whose here and whose not when I go for coffee, I just look to see if the bike is in here. It's also good for our corporate image to have visitors and clients think we are healthy and energetic."

I thought they had a rather progressive attitude. They were more progressive than I imagined. Each employee's paycheck included a monthly exercise allowance. Those with bikes in the conference room were obviously using theirs at the LBS. Parking wasn't free either and there wasn't a parking allowance on the paycheck.

Carl

I stand my bike behind my office door on the rear wheel. The door is next to the wall so I can lean it on the wall. Then to secure the wheel I use a rubber door stopper. It works great and hides my bike!

Originally posted by kobyj
When I am at home, the bike stays in the apartment. I live alone so I don't have any grief from roommates about having three bikes in the apartment.

Hey, you have room for three(3) more bikes before you have to get rid of the Sofa!!!!