How strict are you on locking your bike?
#27
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Originally Posted by Emerson
I started a thread not long ago trying to figure out how bikes actually get stolen--defeated U-locks, cut cables, not being locked, etc. By far the most common way bikes get stolen is from leaving them unlocked even for a few moments. My sense is that U-locks discourage/prevent theft in most areas, cable locks are good for brief stops like you describe--running into a store for a few minutes, in NYC and similar areas even good locks may not be enough, and never, never leave your bike unlocked.
word.
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I never lock my bike. I'd be very bummed if someone stole it, but I don't think it's really a problem where I live. I do have a lock with me now (didn't used to carry one) and there are a few places where I'd lock it, but not anywhere that I go normally. I have the lock crammed into my tool bag, it'd be a pain to get out and it's just a $5 cheapie, but it's there if I feel uncomfortable sometime.
Almost everywhere I go, there's no foot traffic. At stores where everyone gets there by driving, and then drives away again, I don't figure there's much chance of theft (not in our area). In some places I suppose there might be someone in a pickup who would grab a bike and throw it in their truck.
Almost everywhere I go, there's no foot traffic. At stores where everyone gets there by driving, and then drives away again, I don't figure there's much chance of theft (not in our area). In some places I suppose there might be someone in a pickup who would grab a bike and throw it in their truck.
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Lock it up. It is really not that big of a deal or as big of a hassle of trying to replace it when it gets stolen by a theft of opportunity.
#30
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Lock it everytime. I use a 4.5' Abus chain with a Hardened Mul-T Lock Pad lock plus a krypto u-lock with a cable. Yeah it takes a few minutes, but in NYC a thief will take a rusty beater with no wheels if you leave it unlocked. Why chance it?
#31
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I've only been riding for just over a week but on the few occasions that I have stopped somewhere, post office, grocery store etc etc I've locked it every time. Currently I only have a krypto-coiled lock but I have a u-lock on the way and will use both even if it's just a 60 second stop in a convenient store.
#32
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All unlocked bikes have a big flashing neon sign on them that says
"Free!!!!"
Last night I saw an episode of COPS in Mesa Arizona. They were doing a bike-theft sting operation where they parked a bike unlocked near a store. One was a Walgreens, perhaps the very one you mentioned.
The cop who rode the bike, parked it and walked away was barely out of distance before the bike was stolen. In one case, a gal hopped on it like it was her own and started pedaling. The second time, a guy on a bike stopped, grabbed the handlebar and started riding with the stolen bike in tow.
So literally, if you are leaving your bike unattended for longer than the time it takes to swing a leg over the top tube, lock it.
"Free!!!!"
Last night I saw an episode of COPS in Mesa Arizona. They were doing a bike-theft sting operation where they parked a bike unlocked near a store. One was a Walgreens, perhaps the very one you mentioned.
The cop who rode the bike, parked it and walked away was barely out of distance before the bike was stolen. In one case, a gal hopped on it like it was her own and started pedaling. The second time, a guy on a bike stopped, grabbed the handlebar and started riding with the stolen bike in tow.
So literally, if you are leaving your bike unattended for longer than the time it takes to swing a leg over the top tube, lock it.
#33
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I allways lock the bike if the bike isn't within my reach, even if I can see it, someone could be on it and away before I could turn and look at it again. I carry a U lock and a half inch cable, the u lock is quicker so if I'm just going to be a couple of minutes or if it is a safe area I'll just lock it on the u lock everywhere else it's u lock securing frame and back wheel and cable on the front and frame. I have had one bike stolen and one that someone tried to steal but couldn't pull it off, incedentally both these bikes were mountain bikes (Giants) I was locking both of them with a fairly decent cable lock, the first one got stolen with the lock left behind (it was a combination lock, so someone must have had a thrilling time of going through all the combinations till they found mine) but that was when I was a young kid (i'm 18 now) before I got the bike that I now ride I had a moutain bike that I locked up outside an outdoor store downtown, when I came back the combo had been fiddeled with and the theif attempted to snip the cable which must have prooved too difficult.
#34
Senior Member
I have a 100% lock policy - if I take it anywhere, it gets locked up. Yeah, locks are heavy, but I'd rather carry an extra pound or two than have to buy a new bike. There was one time that I didn't lock my bike, back when I was commuting to a part-time job at a nearby middle school (these days I just "commute" around campus). I had pedalled all eleven miles to work, but forgot my lock. It's a pretty safe, area without a huge amount of people walking around in front of the school, since it's located in a suburb. I left my bike out, but not before removing the front wheel. Even in that situation, I didn't feel comfortable leaving it there unless I rendered it unrideable - and even then, I felt a bit nervous. It was still there two hours later, though, so all ended well. But last night, I rolled down to an exam, only to find I had forgotten my lock. I was already running late, but nonetheless, I turned around and sprinted all the way back up my hill to get the lock. It wouldn't have been worth it to lose the bike.
#35
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In suburban areas, bikes with clipless pedals usually scare off the kids, but in urban areas everything is fair game. I went into Toronto yesterday without my lock, so I hid my bike on somebody's porch and it was still there a couple hours later. Of course, if the house owner would've found it, it would have been finder's keepers.
#36
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I don't lock my bike at the office/classroom but I always my lock my bike otherwise. Even this morning when I went into a coffee shop/bakery when I knew that I would only be in long enough to buy a dozen donuts for my colleagues and students, I locked it. I admit that I thought to be lazy and leave it but the memory of getting the current bike via insurance moolah from my last stolen bike got the best of me. I also think that I locked it because it is my only mode of transport other than the bus.
#37
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Originally Posted by penanaut
I don't lock my bike at the office/classroom but I always my lock my bike otherwise.
Now, I've always wondered whether others who bring their bike up with them to work, lock their bike up there, too. I have never locked mine, but I can imagine some punk might pass by the office one day, take a peek inside and steal it just the same as if it was outside. The traffick in this part of the building is low, and the only people you'd find in this area anyway aren't likely to steal a bike, but I certainly don't want to find it missing one day.
#38
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Caffeinenut - listen to this group of people. No matter what brand you choose, lock your bike. Every time. Tell every cyclist you know to lock their bike every single time, too. Do not give a thief any opportunity to ride off or carry off your bike.
Happy Spring and safe riding everyone!
Donna
Kryptonite
Happy Spring and safe riding everyone!
Donna
Kryptonite
#39
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My opinion is of the minority, but I don't lock my bike for quick jaunts into a grocery or convenience store here in the burbs. I do lock my bike at work because it's out of sight. I was looking forward to building a bike that I wouldn't have to lock with an old 10 speed I picked up for free. But I bought a flip/flop rear wheel for it, so I'll have to lock it too. I'll have to keep looking
#40
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Just wondering. Has anyone ever had a bike stolen at an organized ride? I just got a new custom bike and I am extremely paranoid about it being stolen. I have at least one organized ride scheduled each month thru October. I'm used to just propping my bike against something at the rest stops and heading to the chow table and/or porta-pottys and not really worrying about my bike still being there when I'm done. Should I be start locking it up?
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"I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat; and away she goes, the picture of untrammelled womanhood." - Susan B. Anthony 1896
#41
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Originally Posted by Artkansas
All unlocked bikes have a big flashing neon sign on them that says
"Free!!!!"
"Free!!!!"
In college, though, I always locked my bike. Ironically, that's the one time I've had a bike stolen. Someone cut right through the lock. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
#42
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Just one month ago a friend of mine popped into a restaurant to pick up a to-go order and was keeping an eye on his unlocked bike outside the door. In the time it took him to pay for the order and have his attention diverted for a moment while doing so, the bike was gone. Just like that. Never to be seen again. He has been morose and dejected ever since.
I never ever ever leave my bike unlocked unless there is someone tending to it. In fact, I always carry two different locks and even if my stop is 'just for a minute,' both locks are secured on the bike. I've invested in them too much and rely on them too much to allow momentary laziness or carelessness to cause any one of them to disappear
I never ever ever leave my bike unlocked unless there is someone tending to it. In fact, I always carry two different locks and even if my stop is 'just for a minute,' both locks are secured on the bike. I've invested in them too much and rely on them too much to allow momentary laziness or carelessness to cause any one of them to disappear
#43
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At very least, if I forgot my lock, I'll fasten my helmet to the rear wheel spokes and keep an eye on it.
I ride with a lot of junk. It's hard to carry my bike away.
I ride with a lot of junk. It's hard to carry my bike away.
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#44
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Originally Posted by EnigManiac
I never ever ever leave my bike unlocked unless there is someone tending to it. In fact, I always carry two different locks and even if my stop is 'just for a minute,' both locks are secured on the bike. I've invested in them too much and rely on them too much to allow momentary laziness or carelessness to cause any one of them to disappear
#46
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Originally Posted by gboy
The same day I left my bike on someone's porch for two hours on Beverly St., I asked a woman sitting in the park beside the College Park Offices to keep an eye on it for me while I went to the washroom. Either I'm extremely lucky or the weather was too nice, and nobody was in the mood to steal anything. And Torontonians are extremely friendly, moreso than south-western Ontarians, for that matter.
#47
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Originally Posted by twowheelsgood
Sounds like I've been very lucky. I live in a fairly rural, unpopulated area, where most people leave their car doors unlocked. I don't lock my bike for a quick run into the convenience store (though I try to leave it near the window). I remember riding my bike to high school some days, and leaving it outside unlocked all day long. Once a bunch of us even drove into the city one Friday night, and I left my bike there in the school parking lot, unlocked. When we got back five hours later, it was still there.
In college, though, I always locked my bike. Ironically, that's the one time I've had a bike stolen. Someone cut right through the lock. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
In college, though, I always locked my bike. Ironically, that's the one time I've had a bike stolen. Someone cut right through the lock. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
I don't lock my bike where I am now, though I have a cheapo lock with me and if I ride into somewhere where there's foot traffic, I'd probably use it.
#48
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I use a skinny wire combination lock from the 100 yen shop sometimes.
#49
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Lock it religiously!
#50
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ALWAYS ALWAYS LOCK YOUR BIKE!
Bike thiefery is becoming more and more common as bikes are getting better and better! I have had many bikes stolen. I live in a pretty shisty city, and bikes are common ground for thieves.
Hot spots are places you would never expect your bike to get snagged. The bike shop is a common place for thieves to be lingering around, because people feel it is a place where their bike is safe, when in fact it isnt.
Bike thiefery is becoming more and more common as bikes are getting better and better! I have had many bikes stolen. I live in a pretty shisty city, and bikes are common ground for thieves.
Hot spots are places you would never expect your bike to get snagged. The bike shop is a common place for thieves to be lingering around, because people feel it is a place where their bike is safe, when in fact it isnt.