ScarcelyAware

The college campus I plan to commute to has bike racks but after reading about on-campus thefts off racks, I've been extra-paranoid about leaving my bike ANYWHERE. My bike's not a beater either so I take extra good care of it.

My alternative to locking on a rack would be to rent a bike locker on campus.

Has anyone had their bike stolen from one of these bike lockers or something similar to one, or should I be okay leaving it in one?

TheDL

Do you have to rent the locker? If you do, you should weigh the cost of continuous rental vs finding a serviceable beater off Craigslist and a good U-lock.

Quel

I'd imagine you are okay. There are a few advantages that I can think of to bike lockers. First, that you can't see inside most of them (some have a grate so you could see in) so a theif wouldn't know if the bike inside was worth taking or even if there was one there. Second, no access to strip the bike. Third, the built in lock would require picking, not just cutting/breaking I imagine. Fourth, any breaking into the locker for a theft would likely have a bit more significance than if you got it stolen from a rack because there is now another person getting your back. I'd imagine vandalizing the locker would carry a bit more weight with police than having a missing bike.

ChainlessRev

Really good points by Quel & totally agree. Bike locker is definitely the way to go especially if you want the extra assurance. College campuses probably have one of the highest "bike circulation" system. Easy pickings and plenty of time since each class is at least 45 to 60 minutes long.

The other option *ahem* is to get a folding bike so you can bring it into the class room!

hubcap

All good points by Quel. One more though, lockers keep precipitation off your bike. The bike is still exposed to humidity and temperature extremes, but no precip means longer life and less maintenance.

One comment concerning the beater option: who wants to ride a beater if you have a viable alternative to ride a nice bike?

ScarcelyAware

'Renting' this bike locker as a student costs me a $10 deposit thing which they return to me a week after I have my locker. It's essentially free.

Quel, thanks for putting my mind at ease. I think I'm a little less paranoid.
These lockers don't actually have built-in locks. They work like high school lockers and have padlocks on them. I'm not sure if I can add my own or not, but if I can, I'll most likely get something really meaty.

xtrajack

We don't have bike lockers in my area,though the concept sounds cool.
My ride probably wouldn't fit in one though.

Andy_K 

Definitely get your own lock, one of those with a minimal amount of the bar exposed. Plead your case with campus security if you have to. Maybe offer to give them a key as a last resort.

Quel

Sounds like a damn good deal to me. Don't settle for some a regular old little masterlock padlock, because that thing would get beat by a bolt cutter in about 3 seconds flat.

Not advocating any particular lock, but something like this maybe:
https://www.masterlock.com/apps/catal...ty&subId=D6321

hairnet

Ask your professor if you can bring your bike into class and leave it in the back or where ever there is space. What have you got to lose? I did it and got 3 of my 4 teachers to let bring my bike into the classroom.

Bolo Grubb

you are getting a great deal. On my campus bike lockers are $90 a year which is still a bargain in my opinion

crawdaddio

You can insure your bike against theft and damage for pennies a day.
Check with state farm, or any reputable insurance company.
All of my bikes are fully covered anywhere in the world for $10 a month.

MaroSteve

renting a bike locker is a great idea. On base over here, to try to promote self PT, they gave us a crap load of bike lockers in front of my barracks. I use it every day.. the only down side is the way it locks, I can see somebody going with a big hammer, and hitting the little slide thing past the lock, opening the door.. but there are so many unlocked bikes just left around here, I dont see why they would go through the trouble lol.

sharkey00

I have one. I consider it to be well worth the cost.

The design of the bike locker uses 1 box split in 2 by a wood divider. So the only person that could easily steal my stuff is the person who uses the other side. Other designs I have seen do not have this problem.

Andy_K 

$0 deductible?