Theft vulnerability varies hugely by location. To make a blanket statement about locking-up--either way-- is foolish.
I fully expect that some day, something will be tampered with or stolen from my bike. Or the whole thing will be taken. I do my best about locking strategies and securing accessories, but I don't let the threat keep me from using my bike for commuting, shopping and errands.
Rochester NY is the car theft capital of New York State. (It's also the murder capital of New York State, but that's a different thread.) Our numbers for these crimes make New York City look like Podunk. Yet, every day people drive their cars and park them places--even in "dangerous" neighborhoods. Why should I live my life differently?...It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that only bling bikes get stolen. Bikes are frequently stolen from the rack where I work (the Public Library, where we even provide locks for those who don't have them), and none of them are bling bikes. They're bikes that most avid cyclists would turn their noses up at. But, they represent convenient, disposable transport. Our local car theft stats mirror that as well. Beaters are stolen more regularly that Beemers.
Anyway, it would be very difficult for me to live my life without using my bike for basic transport, commuting, and shopping. I also feel that since cycling is *my choice* for transport, it's *my responsibility* (not the store's) for securing it. Given the complete absence of bike-through grocery stores, banks, barber shops and whatnot, I'll continue to lock-up outside, doing the best I can.
I agree. I learned not to focus too much on location, but rather knowing that certain individuals are drawn to crimes of opportunity and will snatch anything if not locked, take some time with the rest of the locks, no matter how "hardened" or hyped the locks claim to be.
Originally Posted by
rajman
+1
I expect to have a bike stolen/vandalised some time or other (past experience has taught me this), I just try to have a secure locking setup so that it doesn't happen too frequently (in my experience I get a bike stolen about once every five years, but my locking practises have improved).
Having a bike stolen is a bit like losing a friend, but if you had good use of it, then you've got an excuse to replace stuff.
Since my rims are wearing out, I almost considered not locking up both wheels to encourage myself to replace them - but I don't want to support the theft econmy, so I don't do that. However, I suppose that then the person who gets the stolen goods will have rim failure (maybe it is a good idea
)
This philosophy definitely keeps me from forking out more than about $500 on a bike, because I can't really afford to replace much more than that at this time.
You do not need to fork over more than that amount for a decent bike nowadays. But IMO I find that a real cop out in not addressing the needs of a present bike. You still have the bike, don't you? If you need to replace something, don't use excuses or unconciously set up something that you will regret later. A bike owner/user is just as guilty as a bike thief if he/she makes it easy to take. If that person is caught, the thief does get into alot of trouble and ruins his/her life for future decent employment. Then the cycle continues.....
Originally Posted by
acroy
ahmen - I'm not worried mush about it here, as bikes are looked down on by the vast majority of the populace. I lock em up with an $11 cable lock in a visible place. i.e. the grocery store has no bike rack, so I lock it to a tree right in front of the store.
back in the college days theft was much more a concern, I locked it with a fancy cable lock then - kevlar cord enclosed by interlocking thimble-shaped hardned steel cover.
theives are opportunists. 2 of my friend's pos Huffy's were stolen when left unlocked for "just a sec".
Originally Posted by
Raiyn
You're incredibly lucky. To me a cable lock ("fancy" or not) screams FREE BIKE as they're incredibly easy to defeat.
That said, when we run errands on the bikes even though we lock them up I generally stay outside and "babysit" them.
Originally Posted by
joelpalmer
If I'm just popping in to pick some stuff up I have no problem, even using (GASP
) a cable lock sometimes. That's one of the reasons I love my old skool banana yellow 3-speed, nobody is going to put any effort into taking it. Additionally, almost all stores in B'more now have uniformed security loitering in the doorways, so unless they decide to boost the bike there would be someone watching it go away.
Old yellow three speeds, not too expensive bikes, Huffy type bikes, it does not matter in the end. If the bike in question has a handbars, saddle, pedals, and tires they are subject to thief and will disappear in almost any part of the world. I think that the day of the bike will be postponed indefinately if most people are put off by the sheer threat of theft.
My solution is the folding bike. This bike fits almost any budget, style, gearing, size, and need that comes up. And the age of funny, rickety, unreliable, not very foldable bikes are at an end. Today the most basic ones come with the technological improvements that all bikes have gotten over the last 30 or more years. I have 3 now and no longer have a use for nonfolding bikes since my area is so crime ridden. No more compromises or fears-complete liberation!
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