I like to stop for a (somewhat gourmet) coffee shop on my way home from a ride. The place I stop is not far from home in a excellent business area with no crime. There are plenty of security cameras. I see plenty of other (often very nice bikes) leaned against a wall or in a bike rack... rarely is one locked. I believe this is a safe location.

I still use a lock when go inside to buy my coffee. Then I return to the outdoor seating area to drink my coffee. My cheap (and light weight) cable would never stop a thief who wanted to steal my bike. But it will stop the neighborhood 14 year old boy... who would take it on an impulse.

And that is how locks work. That is how locks have always worked. Locks have never stopped crime. Locks merely keep honest people honest.