cervelo48

Hello,

This post is mainly addressed to Toronto/University of Toronto commuters, but feel free to chime in if you like. I'm taking a summer course there, and I am wondering if it is safe to leave my lock(s) locked up somewhere for 5 days on end for the duration of the summer? I only have classes Tuesday and Thursdays, which will mean it my locks will be outside for quite a while. I cannot care them as my bike doesn't not allow for it. The locks together also weigh more than my bike. :/

Help appreciated.

jet sanchEz

The city will be cleaning up all the abandoned bikes soon so if you leave just the lock on a city post in the next few weeks, don't expect it to be there for long.

Why not put the locks in your bag?

cervelo48

Thanks for the info.

The locks are too heavy.

Noobtastic

On my university campus, many people leave their locks on a rack/railing/post for the whole semester. Just don't leave it during a long holiday or it will probably be removed and discarded. I was considering doing the same thing with my large U-lock but I think I'll just have to condition my back to carrying it; if you decide to stop somewhere on your way to or back from school, will you feel safe locking up without your U-lock?

BarracksSi

My locks probably weigh a tenth of my total bike-rider weight.

Then again, I'm still over 200 lbs, so that might skew things a bit; plus, I'm a tuba player, so I'm used to carrying heavy stuff (including a tuba in a backpack on a couple occasions).

Figure out a way to carry your lock/locks. The rest of us do.

Boudicca

I would not leave a Cervelo locked on UofT campus, regardless of how many locks I have, and how much they weigh.

jefferee

What would you do with your bike if you got to the rack one day and found the lock missing or tampered with?

Leaving a lock out like that is just asking for trouble IMO.

cyclokitty 

If you do I insist on leaving your locks behind, the best spot is on the ring and posts outside of the Athletic Centre on Harbord St. Those are used all summer long and the odds are good no one will look at them. There are summer programs and a day camp there so the posts will be used. The university nor the city will clear those spots until late August when the Athletic Centre is closed for it's annual boiling. Good luck.

Lot's Knife

"Annual boiling"?

cyclokitty 

Yup. The centre is closed for several days so the employees can clean and do maintenance on the pool, locker rooms and showers for the new school year. Shiny!

exile

I don't think it is a good idea to leave your lock. If it is to heavy, maybe look for something lighter. Just as others have mentioned, what happens if you arrive to school and your lock is gone or someone superglued the key insert? Also, what is the crime rate around your school, and what kind of bike are you locking up?

You can also talk to the professor and see if you can bring your bike to class or get friendly with someone who already rides and works their. Being it is a summer class is it all summer or only for one section at a time. My school has 3 summer sessions with classes that last about a month (although they are like 4 hours long).

bikegeek57

I work at a local University here in Atlanta. Bikes do get stolen from time to time. Most of the bikes are much nicer than mine and have lousy locks making them better targets. I leave the heavy U locks and cable on the rack year around. I found a rack right outside my building door. No one bothers them. Besides if they (security) were to remove them no real big loss. I can replace the locks easily. Yeah right new locks aren't free but still cheaper than new bike? Not to mention scratching up the paint job carrying them around. Pannier's are full of my daily gear and no room left for locks. Works for me not having to carry that extra few pounds.

serra

I prefer to keep my lock with me. At the moment, I'm just using a cable lock, so it wraps around the seat post quite nicely. I'll probably get a U-lock to accompany it, as I'll be living off campus. I'd just rather not get there and discover my lock is gone, or end up going somewhere out of routine, and not having a lock with me.