Southern California - Is SoCal that unsafe?

Hey people of bikeforums! I recently got into biking and I'm currently shopping for locks. I use my bike to commute all around the Garden Grove and Westminster area and I will sometime take rides to the beach. I've been hearing a lot of stories of bike theft after I bought the OnGuard mini U-lock at Performancebicycle. My cousin who has been biking for quite sometime urge me to invest in something like the Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit but it just seems like overkill for Southern California. I thought that I'd ask the bike community of SoCal and see what are some thoughts on this. I don't ever plan on leaving my bike overnight anywhere but I do plan on leaving it at places for a few hours. So is it worth it to invest in the fahgettaboutit or is my OnGuard mini U-Lock enough?

My Dad told me long ago that locks keep the honest honest, and slow the dishonest down.....

Hey people of bikeforums! I recently got into biking and I'm currently shopping for locks. I use my bike to commute all around the Garden Grove and Westminster area and I will sometime take rides to the beach. I've been hearing a lot of stories of bike theft after I bought the OnGuard mini U-lock at Performancebicycle. My cousin who has been biking for quite sometime urge me to invest in something like the Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit but it just seems like overkill for Southern California. I thought that I'd ask the bike community of SoCal and see what are some thoughts on this. I don't ever plan on leaving my bike overnight anywhere but I do plan on leaving it at places for a few hours. So is it worth it to invest in the fahgettaboutit or is my OnGuard mini U-Lock enough?

Where in SoCal do you live? It makes ALL the difference.

My Dad told me long ago that locks keep the honest honest, and slow the dishonest down.....

I have to admit, I like that saying from your dad. I never really believed locks could prevent a bike theft from happening because I was told that a lock will yield to any bike thief that truly wanted your bike. Especially if they have the tools for it on hand.


Where in SoCal do you live? It makes ALL the difference.

I live in Garden Grove but I regularly commute to Westminster and occasionally to Huntington Beach. Those are really the only areas I could imagine me leaving my bike unattended for a few hours. I'm probably going to have moments where I leave my bike unattended at the beach also.

If you are gonna be leaving your bike unattended for a few hours at various locations, then buy the very best lock you can afford.

And also learn how to properly lock up a bike. A guy on here had a locked bike stolen at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, and in a very public/visible area too.

If you are gonna be leaving your bike unattended for a few hours at various locations, then buy the very best lock you can afford.

And also learn how to properly lock up a bike. A guy on here had a locked bike stolen at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, and in a very public/visible area too.

+1, I think it matters more on how you lock the bike rather than what lock you use.

The Sheldon Brown locking method works great for me: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

Look at the picture halfway down the page, I usually put one of the seat stays through the lock too.
I have left my CAAD9 unattended for 2 hours in Pasadena without it getting stolen.

It also helps to not have the most desirable bike in the bike rack.

I have to admit, I like that saying from your dad. I never really believed locks could prevent a bike theft from happening because I was told that a lock will yield to any bike thief that truly wanted your bike. Especially if they have the tools for it on hand.


Yup, no matter what you do, your bike can be taken by someone with the right tools.
If you have got time watch these videos, they are pretty interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AdugFzCi24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhPzF-hyC7Q&feature=relmfu

It also helps to not have the most desirable bike in the bike rack.

Which is kinda hard sometimes if you are riding a good quality road bike.....

I had my bike stolen at a popular hangout for cyclists while I was sitting 10 feet away. There were 30 other cyclists there, with their bikes, when I was there.
Now I always lock my bike if it's going to be out of my sight for more than 10 seconds. I know the lock won't stop a determined thief. But I apply the grizzly bear rule -- if a bunch of people encounter a grizzly bear, you don't have to be the fastest -- you just have to be faster than the slowest person.

So if it's a choice between your bike that's locked - even with a bad lock - and another bike that isn't, the odds are pretty good in your favor. After all, most of these thieves have absolutely no idea what the bike is worth; they're going to sell if for $100 to get their next drug fix.

I live in Garden Grove but I regularly commute to Westminster and occasionally to Huntington Beach. Those are really the only areas I could imagine me leaving my bike unattended for a few hours. I'm probably going to have moments where I leave my bike unattended at the beach also.

I live in Ventura county, bike thefts are pretty rare where I normally bike...oh crap! I just jinxed it.

I had my bike stolen at a popular hangout for cyclists while I was sitting 10 feet away. There were 30 other cyclists there, with their bikes, when I was there.
Now I always lock my bike if it's going to be out of my sight for more than 10 seconds. I know the lock won't stop a determined thief. But I apply the grizzly bear rule -- if a bunch of people encounter a grizzly bear, you don't have to be the fastest -- you just have to be faster than the slowest person.

So if it's a choice between your bike that's locked - even with a bad lock - and another bike that isn't, the odds are pretty good in your favor. After all, most of these thieves have absolutely no idea what the bike is worth; they're going to sell if for $100 to get their next drug fix.

Bring that Corgi along with you, I hear they are pretty good guard dogs. My own dog is so helpful, he would probably help the thief pull the lock off....

I bike in Irvine, and San Diego County. I do not worry about theft. I leave my bile (Trek 7.2FX) locked to a chain link fence at work with a good quality cable lock. North of the 55 freeway, where you are, I would take more precautions. Also, the infrastructure for riding becomes a little more unfriendly for biking north of the 55. Most of that area, GG, Santa Ana, Westminster, HB, were developed in the 1950's and 1960's, before it was common to consider bicycles in urban street planning.

I never leave my bike unattended anywhere in LA. Ever.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I think I'll definitely invest in a good U-Lock. I just read about all the Santa Ana incidents and the Bella Terra theft. I must admit, I'm a little surprised because I always thought that places like Bella Terra would be the least place you'd expect to get your bike stolen. I guess I was wrong.

Bike thefts are also up recently in costa mesa and newport. i have had 4 friends that have had their bikes stolen in the past 2 months. and they were chain/cable locked at the beach

I bike in Irvine, and San Diego County. I do not worry about theft. I leave my bile (Trek 7.2FX) locked to a chain link fence at work with a good quality cable lock. North of the 55 freeway, where you are, I would take more precautions. Also, the infrastructure for riding becomes a little more unfriendly for biking north of the 55. Most of that area, GG, Santa Ana, Westminster, HB, were developed in the 1950's and 1960's, before it was common to consider bicycles in urban street planning.The 55 runs north and south. How can you get "north of the 55" unless you're in Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda where the 55 ends at the 91?

If I was going to commute anywhere in Socal and was going to have my bike locked up somewhere, I'd get a used bike <$500 and a $60 u-lock + thick cable or chain. Even then I'd be happy if it remained in my possession for a year.

I think SoCal is probably one of the most unsafe areas I'd ever consider living in. Even though I live in a 'safe' city, there's always serious issues just minutes away in Stabba Ana. You're never very far from "bad areas" here.

When I lived in GG, crime was getting pretty bad at the apartment complex I was in, and I had to chase a little gangbanger dude in a wife beater off my porch at 2am. My pregnant wife was sleeping not 5 feet from the guy on my porch. He was trying to jack my tools.

If you think your bike won't get stolen because of where you ride or live, you are sadly mistaken. Thieves like to go to the "nicer" areas as well as low crime areas knowing their haul will normally more valuable as well as more accessible. Take a drive through the lower income areas and see what is left out for easy pickens and then do the same for the much more affluent neighborhoods.

The 55 runs north and south. How can you get "north of the 55" unless you're in Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda where the 55 ends at the 91?

It actually runs southwest to northeast. Since I usually take the 405 which runs "north" from San Diego, (in spite of the fact that parts of it are due east/west), and it crosses the 55 at a right angle, it is convenient for me to call Santa Ana and Costa Mesa "north" of the 55.

CalTrans designates the north/southness and east/westhness of the designated route based on whether the termination points are more north/south, or east/west.

Life is too short to quibble over insignificant "flaws".

My cousin who has been biking for quite sometime urge me to invest in something like the Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit but it just seems like overkill for Southern California.

Your cousin sounds like a smart guy.

It depends on the type of riding you do. A recreational rider usually will not leave his bike unattended. He goes on rides in a more specific route for the expressed purpose of a good workout. A rider who uses his bike for actually going places with stop overs is a different thing.

I have two bikes and would never use my good bike for any other purpose because it costs too much to replace. The other bike is like a beater bike that may not be worth stealing because the parts are not worth it.

All my bikes have either 2 U-Locks or U-Lock and heavy chain w/lock. IMHO cables of any thickness are virtually useless and too ez to cut/defeat. Front wheel to frame and thru the chainstays and wheel to a light post or whatever. Yeah its a lot of weight but my bikes are my only means of transportation.

Doesnt matter if you ride a beater or high end, thieves will take anything or take parts off. Have an old school vinyl bike bag and they tried to take that. Removing your seat doesnt deter them either. The S.M. Rei store recommends you bring your bike inside because of the high thief rate even if you lock it up right at the front door. Times are hard and people are desperate for cash. You make your own parking location/locking decisions when you go out and you either take the extra time (and weight) to secure it or not.

If you take a look at the bikes used by restaurant workers (like at Denny's), they're parked outside in the back. Those are the beater bikes that the theft guys don't care about.

My advice is to never leave a nice, expensive bike unattended. Beach cities are especially hit hard during the summer months. In Huntington Beach, don't ever lock your bike in the racks uner the pier, as your chances of having it stolen are very high. Last July, 131 bikes were stolen in Huntington Beach and many of them were either stolen from under the pier or from any of the bike racks on Main Street. Yes, Bella Terra Mall (Beach/Edinger) gets hit pretty hard, as well, especially from outside 24-Hour Fitness, from the theater area and from Barnes and Noble. Be sure you know your serial number, too, so if your bike is stolen, your chances of getting it returned will be far greater.

My advice is to never leave a nice, expensive bike unattended. Beach cities are especially hit hard during the summer months. In Huntington Beach, don't ever lock your bike in the racks uner the pier, as your chances of having it stolen are very high. Last July, 131 bikes were stolen in Huntington Beach and many of them were either stolen from under the pier or from any of the bike racks on Main Street. Yes, Bella Terra Mall (Beach/Edinger) gets hit pretty hard, as well, especially from outside 24-Hour Fitness, from the theater area and from Barnes and Noble. Be sure you know your serial number, too, so if your bike is stolen, your chances of getting it returned will be far greater.

Yep, a good friend and his girlfriend rode their tandem to brunch by the pier in Huntington Beach from Sunset Beach on a very busy Sunday, came back after about 90minutes, and their tandem was gone. It was locked up too. They could not believe a locked-up bike could be stolen in plain view on a very busy/crowded Sunday.

My advice is to never leave a nice, expensive bike unattended. Beach cities are especially hit hard during the summer months. In Huntington Beach, don't ever lock your bike in the racks uner the pier, as your chances of having it stolen are very high. Last July, 131 bikes were stolen in Huntington Beach and many of them were either stolen from under the pier or from any of the bike racks on Main Street. Yes, Bella Terra Mall (Beach/Edinger) gets hit pretty hard, as well, especially from outside 24-Hour Fitness, from the theater area and from Barnes and Noble. Be sure you know your serial number, too, so if your bike is stolen, your chances of getting it returned will be far greater.

I didn't know that populated places could be hit that hard. I'm pretty new to the biking scene so all this is very new to me. I'll definitely never let go of my bike so long as I'm in SoCal :(

I never leave my bike unattended anywhere in LA. Ever.
Same here, although I'll add most of OC in with that.


Thanks for the replies everyone! I think I'll definitely invest in a good U-Lock. I just read about all the Santa Ana incidents and the Bella Terra theft. I must admit, I'm a little surprised because I always thought that places like Bella Terra would be the least place you'd expect to get your bike stolen. I guess I was wrong.
I worked at the Belle Terra REI part-time when it first opened and bike theft has been a problem to one degree or another since the place opened.

Downtown HB can be a really bad place to leave a bike unattended (as someone stated already). Lived near downtown for a couple years and in that time there were at least have a dozen people in my apartment complex (that I knew about) who rode their bikes downtown for a drink only to end up walking home.

Hi LelandT, I also live in Garden Grove and I grew up here. Most of my rides start and end at my doorstep in Garden Grove and take me to Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Seal Beach...I just love going to the beach too much! Anyway, I'm very familiar with this area, having ridden it for about five years or so already. I ride the SART frequently from the Warner Ave. entrance/exit to the beach. I used to ride north from there until the SART robberies started up and now I'm not sure if I wanna go back north after hearing about the robberies and the increase in homeless people.

My main bike lock is a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit:

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1000&pid=1095

Dang, bike theft is that bad in Orange County? I haven't had either of my bikes stolen yet (knock on wood) but then I usually don't lock 'em up much. I have locked my Surly Long Haul Trucker under the Huntington Beach pier before, and I even left my bike unlocked at the McDonald's along PCH in Newport Beach near Dover Dr. Most of my rides tend to be recreational runs while stopping only to drink water or eat a Clif bar. I guess I'll be sticking with that unless I really need to buy stuff from a store.

Hi LelandT, I also live in Garden Grove and I grew up here. Most of my rides start and end at my doorstep in Garden Grove and take me to Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Seal Beach...I just love going to the beach too much! Anyway, I'm very familiar with this area, having ridden it for about five years or so already. I ride the SART frequently from the Warner Ave. entrance/exit to the beach. I used to ride north from there until the SART robberies started up and now I'm not sure if I wanna go back north after hearing about the robberies and the increase in homeless people.

My main bike lock is a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit:

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1000&pid=1095

Dang, bike theft is that bad in Orange County? I haven't had either of my bikes stolen yet (knock on wood) but then I usually don't lock 'em up much. I have locked my Surly Long Haul Trucker under the Huntington Beach pier before, and I even left my bike unlocked at the McDonald's along PCH in Newport Beach near Dover Dr. Most of my rides tend to be recreational runs while stopping only to drink water or eat a Clif bar. I guess I'll be sticking with that unless I really need to buy stuff from a store.

Hi! Thanks for the reply :) I've yet to ride on the SART and I really wanted to until I heard of the robberies. Since you don't use your lock much, do you regret buying the fahgettaboutit at all?

It actually runs southwest to northeast. Since I usually take the 405 which runs "north" from San Diego, (in spite of the fact that parts of it are due east/west), and it crosses the 55 at a right angle, it is convenient for me to call Santa Ana and Costa Mesa "north" of the 55.

CalTrans designates the north/southness and east/westhness of the designated route based on whether the termination points are more north/south, or east/west.

Life is too short to quibble over insignificant "flaws".I'll grant you that for the Costa Mesa/Orange leg, but from Orange north to the 91, unless Google Earth is whacked, the 55 is almost perfectly due north-south.

US 101 is considered a north-south highway. The Hollywood Freeway runs east and west. They're the same stretch of pavement.

"Westhness"?

"Westhness"?It's a term to describe guys from Westh Hollywood.

I too was a victim of bike theft at Marina Del Rey. It happened on a saturday in front of a restaurant during lunch hour! Since then I never leave my bike ever and I got like 3 locks.

I ride an old beater chromoly MTB that i tuned-up really nicely so it rides well. it looks like a real POS with fake rust paint i added. I lock it up everywhere, downtown, Venice, Culver and i never have any problems. Sometimes you just gotta swallow your pride and leave the carbon fiber roadie at home if you plan on leaving a bike outside for a while.