worldtraveller

How do you commute bike to work and anywhere. in a city that has no safe place to leave your bike.

Workplace here has a bike rack but it is in a parking lot that people steal from.

Many options to lock up bike are not safe. more less "heres a rack, leave your bike here, like it or leave it!"

robyr

I usually just make it look hard to steal. On top of use of "nonstandard" lock up areas. I like to use the most secure looking lock post around. Be that a steel natural gas line on the side of a building, telephone/power pole, or fencing. Also lots of praying. Having a massive POS bike doesn't hurt either, but I like not looking homeless.

trafficcasauras

google ways to uglify you bicycle. get some pitlocks for about 100 dollars.. leave your u-lock(s) on the rack so you don't carry it/them back and forth.

Spudd

What city in Ontario do you live in that's so awful? I would have thought Toronto would be the worst, but I have no problem leaving my bike locked up in public here during the day. Just use multiple lock types if you want to be on the really safe side (i.e. a U-lock and a cable lock... and not just using the U-lock to hold the cable, because then if you break the U-lock your cable is useless).

chewybrian 

I think it stinks to have to leave your bike outside, even if it is safe. I'm lucky enough to be able to park mine inside the building. If you can't do that, maybe another business or home within walking distance will rent you a small space(?).

If I had to leave my bike outside, I would use a cheapo as much to avoid ruining a good bike in the weather as to avoid theft. Leaving a couple huge u-locks on the rack was a good suggestion, too.

cooker

I use a U-lock, two cables (large one for front wheel and small one for seat) and I ride a bike I bought used for $250. I've had two bikes stolen in 35 years in Toronto, for a combined loss under $500. That's about $15 of theft per year. I can accept that. It's 3 days busfare.

Smallwheels

It is because of this problem that i wish I had a folding bicycle. I have a Dahon Smooth Hound that disassembles fast but it doesn't fold. When the time comes for me to move into my RV I'll sell the full size bicycles and get a folder with small wheels. It's the best way to go.

Unfortunately there aren't enough racks made for the folders to attach panniers or baskets. When I shop I hang two large cloth bags over the handlebar and use a back pack. It is enough for me to carry food but bulky items must be carried in a taxi. A trailer would do for some things. I flip flop on whether to buy one. I only need to haul big stuff once every couple of years so cabs seem more cost effective.

What is the price of the cheapest Downtube folding bicycle? Many people like that brand. I've seen one locked at a bike rack but didn't see the owner to get an opinion of it.

harshbarj

I would get a frame lock (o-lock) for the rear tire. You should see people look at those things. Most people in north america have never seen one and would not know how to remove it. I also would get 2 u-locks and some good square chain and another new york fahgettaboudit lock. If you simply make the theft take too long the thief will pick another bike. I myself use a combo just like this on my European bicycle and it works great. It takes 2-3 minute to lock up though.

Ekdog

I have a front rack on my folder made by the manufacturer (Dahon) that works fine with panniers. I also have a Carradice SQR Slim saddlebag, a fine piece of equipment that's showing almost no signs of wear after something like eight years of almost daily use. This combination allows me to to carry all the groceries my family needs. I did have to replace my back wheel with a sturdier one, though, as all of that weight was too much for the original.

cooker

I have a folder and when I bought it, I assumed I would commute on it, but it turns out not to make sense for me. The folder I got is more expensive than my beat up street bike so I wouldn't lock it outside, and it's bulky and awkward when folded, so it would be a nuisiance to have to fold it and carry into the office building and up the elevator 11 floors every day. And if I've been riding slowly to work on a warm day trying not to sweat, carrying the folder would probably push me into sweating a bit too much. A folder that rolls when folded would have made more sense. However, I'm over 200 lbs so some of the available folders weren't an option, since they're only rated for 250 lbs and if I have cargo I might sometimes be over that.

Plus, when I'm ready to leave home for work or vice versa, the street bike is already set up and ready to go, whereas the folder has to be unfolded and that adds a little extra annoyance.

Smallwheels

It takes me more time to lock and unlock my bicycle than the time it takes to fold a folding bicycle according to the times posted on the folder web sites. The BikeFriday Tikit with the quick fold only takes six seconds if you rush. I'm certain it takes me almost thirty seconds to dig out my cable lock from my bag, thread it through the frame and bike rack, pull out my key and lock it. The thing that takes the longest amount of time for me is putting on the helmet and extra winter clothing needed to keep me warm. That takes several minutes. Summer riding doesn't require any of that stuff.

junkyardking

There are more drastic options you can do which will make your bike less stealable. Bicycling magazine had a pretty good piece (which I can't find) on how to protect your bike from theft when you have to leave it unattended while on a road ride (which means you probably don't have a lock with you), and I feel that a few of the tips really help ease my mind when I have to leave my ride unattended for a long time.

In addition to using a very durable u-lock (or two), you could unfasten the quick release skewers after you lock it up so that if someone tries to ride off with it, then the wheel might pop off, and they'll probably ditch the bike. This may cause some damage, but I'd rather replace a $70 RD than a whole bike.

Another trick is to shift into your lowest gears before you get off your bike. Then, after you've used your very durable u-lock (or two), shift them into higher gears. Not the highest, because that would put a heavy horizontal strain on both the chain and sprockets, but just high enough that if someone were to start riding off (assuming they busted through your very durable u-lock or two) then the chain would skip, and the whole drive train will freak out, which would then freak out the thief who is now unsure he/she can make off with your ride, and probably ditch it.

Like I said, these options may cause damage, especially to your drive components, but replacing parts is better than buying a whole new bike.

Now, these tricks mean nothing if the thief(s) are using a truck to just cut locks and toss em in the back, so your first move should just be to buy a crazy lock. Someone above suggested an O-lock, which is great, but if you were to also throw in a Kyptonite NY Fuhgettaboutit then you'll be sitting pretty secure.

But your best option: Get as arrogant and confident as possible, and just bring your bike inside with you wherever you go. If people give you a hard time, then make them feel like it's their fault for not having secure bike parking.

Blind

I don't own any locks, I park my bike in my garage at home, and inside the server room at my office.

cooker

Once you fold the Tikit, you don't just walk away - you still have to roll it somewhere and stow it. And my folding bike doesn't roll - I have to awkwardly carry it.

Roody

What do you do when you go to a store, restaurant, etc.?

Roody

Would it help if you had a bag for your folder?

Blind

Like to lunch? I bring my lunch with me, but if I need something when I'm at work I just walk.

I'm only car-free going to work, didn't realize what forum this was in, just reading things that came up under 'new posts'

kevin_stevens

I carry a ski rack lock - absolutely minimal combo lock with a retractable 3' cable, the size of a pack of cigarettes. It's just enough to stop someone from walking off with the bike on a whim. Where I ride, at least where I would be out of sight of the bike for a couple of minutes, that's about all I need. Otherwise the bike is inside, or lashed with pounds of chain in the back of the truck. Locking depends so much on your circumstance.

KeS

crazybikerchick

See if your workplace will let you bring your bike inside. Ride something non-flashy when you have to lock it up. (if your main bike is expensive) Get the best lock you can afford, and lock up (preferably with two locks of different types) to something solid. Take your seat post with you (so its not easy to ride away once stolen).

Unfortunately the idea is to make your bike harder to steal than the next guy's..

cooker

I do. It helps me stay clean but it adds more delay. So people thinking of a folder for carfree utility should look for models that are easy to fold, roll and stow. I opted instead for comfort and airline checkability