I go to the mall all the time with my bicycle. Nothing ever happens to my ride but I NEVER use the bike rack. In fact, the bike rack is right next to the bus stop which means it will get trashed or stolen by all the kids who stand at the stop! The only time my bike was attacked was when it was parked on a rack. Never use bike racks.

This is what I do. I hide the bike by parking in back of the mall! Mall security told me the other day not to park there so I now park about two blocks from the entrance in a hidden location next to a Home Depot. It's great because the bushes behind a fence hide the bike. Also, another good location is one that is high in vehicle traffic but not foot traffic.

I must admit, my beater is a 1980 Schwinn World Sport. After 5 dozen trips to malls all over, my bike is yet to be attacked. You can also get a folding bike and ask your boss if you can bring the folder inside. You would be crazy to leave a $1,200.00 dollar bike to a bike rack. The Kryptonite Chain and New York 3000 U-lock have been compromsed. In other words, the crooks know how to break them and they will if the bike costs alot!

One more thing, if you go the beater route, don't park it at the bike rack. Even beaters get trashed on bike racks!