silverwolf

My bike is now my transport, and I need to be able to browse a store for a while without worrying about having my bike stolen. I'm worried because, despite it being inexpensive it looks to an unaware thief alot more expensive than it is. Dual-disc brakes and 29-inch wheels, and a a new light set are part of the reason I like the bike but they also would presumably attract more thieves. Even worse the wheels are both quickrelease.

I have a mid to small sized u-lock, a thick cable lock, and a thin cable lock that can be used all at once as they are kept in my rucksack. Are there any locking strategies you could reccomend? My thought was taking off the front wheel, putting it next to rear with the frame sandwiched in between, and u-locking all three pieces (rear wheel, frame, and front wheel) together and to another object, than using the cables on the same route just to increase the irritation factor for a thief.

Do I have to worry about having my lights stolen? They are bolted to the bars and seatpost. My tool folder is zip-tied to the frame but it looks unappealing and only contains a small dual-head screwdriver and three allen keys.

Any tactics for emergency stops in high-risk areas or should I just give up and put together a piece of crap to ride everywhere (somewhat defeating the purpose of my new bike).

travelmama

You can be as worried as you want to be. "High-risk" areas are relative so if you feel as though something will happen to you, perhaps you should ride around to where you feel safest.

CCrew

I will also add that I have met very little resistance to bringing my bike into places of business.. either with me, or in a lobby/vestibule out of the line of people traffic.
We just recently moved offices, and I brought my bike in through the front lobby and up the elevators to my office with nothing more than a "good morning" from front desk security. I was asked by other people that didn't think it was allowed how I went about doing it. Turns out there's no policy against it. Sometimes it's just about being bold enough to assume you can. Same with retail stores, even my Dr's office.

Simply put, sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, but I've really never had to apologize. If I did, and had the choice I probably just wouldn't frequent the establishment any more.

fw5zTPmU2K8X

I've also been experimenting recently with bringing my bike into stores. It's especially nice when grocery shopping, since I just use my panniers as a shopping cart; as an added bonus, I can be sure before I leave the store that I haven't bought more than I can carry. Only once has anyone said anything about it, and even then, I wasn't asked to leave.

When you do lock it, though, I really don't think it's necesary to remove the front wheel. I tend to use the Sheldon Brown approach (https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html -- note particularly the bit about not having to get both the frame and rear wheel with the u-lock), and it has worked out so far. I do ride and park my bike in a major downtown area, and so far so good.

If you're really paranoid about your wheels (or saddle; you don't mention QR v. bolt for the seat-post), swap out your quick-releases with secure versions (e.g., Pitlock).

As for lights, computers, etc, I leave them alone, and also so far so good, but it does worry me. Just having them bolt on sounds like a decent security measure, so you're already ahead of me -- mine are all quick-release....

xtrajack

As a general rule, I don't feel a need to lock up at all. I have a bike that most folk wouldn't care for.

I have the locks to lock up securely if I feel a compelling need to. I have a OnGuard U lock, a cable and lock, a hardened square link chain and lock.
I would like to get a ring type lock mounted on my fork. I am not sure that it is even feasible to mount a ring lock on a fork.
I am going to throw the money for pitlocks.(rear wheel, stem, disc brakes) I want to get a seat leash lock, securing the seat to the frame. I need to keep the quick release on the seatpost, because the seatpost is my air pump.

The perceived risk factors determine which lock or locks I feel a need to use. However, I know that if a thief wants my bike he will get it.

college biker

I have actually seen someone do this at the Trader Joes by my house. To be honest, I thought it was kind of weird, mainly because I didn't understand how they could possibly shop and walk their bike around the whole time. I thought perhaps they were a mystery shopper or something. That is a really good idea though to make sure you are only getting what you can carry. Also, shout out to Trader Joes-if you haven't tried their Mandarin orange chicken, you definitely need to get it. It is amazing. However, it isn't that healthy for you, so try to only eat half the bag of chicken and use 1/4 of the sauce they give you.

I agree that you should try to bring it into stores. One time I was locking up my bike outside of my bank, and the security guard opens the door and asks me if I'm coming into the bank. When I said I was, he said, just bring it in here, no ones going to steal it while I'm around (that last part was said kind of jokingly in a tough voice, and I laughed because he's like a 90 yo man). Anyway, a bank is the last place you would think you could bring a bike, but apparently it was no problem whatsoever.

closetbiker

Most thefts could probably be prevented fairly easily. Someone who really wants a bike can get it, but most thieves won't go to extremes, so just make sure you buy a quality lock to lock the wheels and frame to something sturdy.

I've always thought a lot of bikes that get stolen use easily broken locks or are locked poorly, so I went out on the street to look. I looked at 100 bikes around a suburban community and a busy downtown area.

The downtown core had only 1 poor quality lock while the suburban area was dominated by cheap (really cheap) locks.

I saw only 2 bikes that locked both wheels and frame with a quality lock to something sturdy and I saw 8 bikes that were unlocked and unattended. 6 bikes locked the rear wheel with the frame to something sturdy.

68 bikes locked only the frame (free wheels anyone?) or the frame with the front wheel (don't people know a rear wheel is more expensive to replace than a front wheel?)

16 bikes locked the front wheel only (maybe they can get a free front wheel from another bike after they remove the front wheel to get the bike), or locked the bike only against itself and not to anything


Bike theft is primarily driven by junkies looking for a fix. Car theft is more prevalent, presumably because there's more money in it.

khanom

I've been commuting by bike for decades, and have never had a bike stripped or stolen.

Honestly I think this is in part because there are generally easier targets. I always use a cable lock and a u-lock in combination, with the u-lock on the back wheel around the seat stays, and the cable lock through both wheels and rear triangle. If my seat is quick release I'll take it off and lock it too... sometimes. My lights are cheapo (but good) removable ones, so I don't worry about those. I usually have a frame pump on the bike. In "high risk" areas like a college campus or if I'm leaving the bike for many hours in a vulnerable area, I would not leave these things on. For relatively short periods of an hour or two I simply don't worry, and have never had anything removed.

Like the first poster said, you can be worried as much as you want to. I haven't personally found that to be effective.

closetbiker

Although it can happen, it rarely does.

I looked into bike ownership rates and in my area, they seem to be on par with car ownership, yet theft of autos is triple that of bike theft.

I looked into trips by bicycle in my city (to get an idea of risk by exposure) and saw there are about 9,000 trips per day by bicycle, yet reported thefts of bicycles only numbers only about 158 annually (77 of those were stolen from homes) . That's 81 bikes stolen off the street in about 1.6 million trips (assuming half of all trips end at home). Pretty low odds. (isn't that, one in .0005, or five one thousands of a percent? I'm pretty lousy at numbers, but I can recognize a long shot when I see it)

msujack

I recently had my older mountain bike stolen from its locked up (Cable and U-lock) home in my back yard. I do not live in a high crime area, but I have learned that if people have access to your bike and want it, they can take it. Portable angle grinders and bolt cutters can get through anything. My advice would be to make sure you are using heavy duty locks and store it indoors at any place that you frequent regularly (i.e. home or office).

Also, I recently inquired about putting bicycle specific insurance on a bike through my renters insurance (same would work for home owners). They quoted me $35/year to put a $2,500 bike on the insurance so it is covered anywhere in the world and even covers damage caused by the rider. If you break the frame in a freak accident or something, the insurance will cover it. With the bike being your primary mode of transportation, I would highly recommend looking into that for a bit of peace of mind. Most home owners or renters ins. ruffle their feathers at paying out for a theft that didn't happen near their home without that type of rider on their policy.

Other things I have seen for daily commuters on "nicer" bikes has been electrical tape on the frame and removing the decals so the brand doesn't stir interest in bike thieves. I have heard of people actually spray painting the frame so it looks more garage sale than high end. I personally would lock it up secure, put the $35 (or less if the bike costs less) into insurance and ride it like a car. I wouldn't want to leave my car in a shady area, nor my bike.

It is probably a waste of typing, but remember to chain up quick release wheels and a QR seat post if you don't take it with you and your bike is equiped with them. Had a friend forget that once and riding home without a seat doesn't sound fun.

Happy trails!

fredgarvin7

All I use is a cheap cable lock to prevent crimes of opportunity. But, also I'm smart about where I leave it and try to lock it inside the venue.

I remember in NYC a few years ago, it was fashionable for car thieves to steal cars equiped with "The Club". They would use an angle grinder to remove the device and then leave it neatly in the center of the parking space after they absconded with the vehicle. Apparently, the worthless, miserable, scum resented people trying to prevent the theft of their personal property!

NYCJohn170

Here in NYC, the food delivery guys will grab your wheels if they need them. I use two U Locks on my Gary Fisher, one grouping the frame, solid imovable street object and rear wheel. The other joins the front wheel to the frame. My two "good" bikes never go on the street if I can help it. Though, I agree there are lots of stores and banks you can roll it right in.

I find another nice touch is to be wearing something that looks like a Bike Messenger outfit. People think twice about messing around with a bike messenger.

closetbiker

why wouldn't they, if they need them and they see some that are unlocked?

My former sister in law was bummed one day when she came out to her bike and saw the rear wheel missing. She was even more bummed when she found out a replacement would cost almost as much as what her bike cost her when it was new.

EM42

i take my brompton folding commuter bike with me indoors folded up and still use a kryptonite ulock and cable locked up to a post indoors or under a desk[locked].
take it inside stores if i have to go shopping folded up tucked under the shopping cart. i guess i never give them a chance of opportunity. nowadays they steal everything seat, lights, pumps, quick release, front wheel, tool pouch/bag, even the cranks[with the expensive clip pedal$ on it] and of course the whole bike given enough time even when locked. a good ulock or a hardened through chain cable works best as a combination for full size bikes locked right in front of a building entrance at least most buildings have cameras to record whats going on but once a bike is stolen the chance of recovery is near zero.

fredgarvin7

"People think twice about messing around with a bike messenger."

Why? Do they like have super powers or sumfin?

wunderkind

Oh wow... have you ever wonder because a ton of the bike theft goes unreported? Your location is in Vancouver, you ought to know how prevalent bike theft is in the Lower Mainland. It comes to the point that VPD doesn't even give much attention if one's bike is stolen. So why bother.
Remember that guy from Bike Rescue? You should visit the local VPD bike annual bike auctions (and other bike auctions) that are recovered. And that's via opportunistic casual recovery operations. Recently a bike theft ring located in DTES were busted. Hundreds of bikes were recovered.
Scour CL and you can easily ID stolen bikes out for sale. There is a thriving black market for bicycles in Vancouver.
Bicycles are relatively cheap compared to a car, so when they are stolen, likely the owner may not be bothered to report it knowing that:
a) they are cheap to begin with
b) if it is expensive bike, will claim insurance
c) it is nigh on impossible to claim a stolen bike without proper verification identification
d) what goes around comes around, just head off to CL and pick up another $100 clunker that was probably stolen.

Your stats is off to the left field.
Here's an article on bike theft stats in Canada. Despite the staggering numbers, officials said these numbers doesn't even come close to the real figures to the owners not bothering to report it.

https://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/...ke-thefts.html

mustachiod

you need a beater for trips to places that would make you nervous about leaving your bike

how long would it take to remove lights and things and toss them in a bag? then put them back on after shopping?

closetbiker

I don't doubt that there are many thefts that go unreported, but any speculation on just how many go unreported is just that - speculation.

I also understand that one reason that thefts are not reported is because the chances of recovery are slim. Bikes are simply not valuable enough to justify spending the time to recover them.

My sons bike was stolen, and I knew who stole it. I called the cops, gave them the info and they took 2 weeks before they visited the alleged thief. The bike had already been stripped and distributed but they were able to recognize and recover it's distinctive seat. Even though this kind of bothered me, I understand the cops time probably cost more than the resale value of the bike and since the kid had a long list of various other charges against him, it was unlikely that a judge was going to give the theft much weight in making a judgement against him. Bike theft is petty theft and prioritized as such.

Despite this, Vancouver cops recovered 1000 of the reported 1700 bikes stolen, but even better is that fewer than a quarter of the owners came out to claim their bikes and almost no one knew their number that was stamped on the frame. The cops auction off the remaining bikes. If you've ever been to one of these (I have and bought two great bikes) you can see just how many recovered bikes go unclaimed by owners.

My stats on trips by bikes were from a reliable source. Translink relies on good stats so they can do their job. Vancouver has 60,000 trips by bikes every day. That's 22 million trips a year to 1700 bikes stolen a year. Last I checked, there's about 17,000 cyclists on the streets commuting everyday and far more people who ride bikes for recreation. Seems a low percentage of "shrinkage" (that happens in all endeavors)

If you have more reliable information than guessing or imagining, I'd love to see it.

wunderkind

^ that's queer, I thought I added a link to the stats. Anyhoo, updated my previous post with the linky.

Your reference to Translink tickles me considering the track record of this "over promised under deliver" organization that constantly suckles on the tit$ of the public.

Rest assured, my link article is based off of Statistics Canada which has yet to screw the public yet and turn Joe Transit rider to Joe the Car driver.

closetbiker

the official numbers of stolen bikes have been in steady decline in recent years...

For the person whose bike is lifted, the only statistic that really matters is the one that applies to his or her own stolen bike...

I'm sure everyone who has had a bike stolen is pissed, but that doesn't give any idea of how big the problem is for everybody else.

fredgarvin7

"I understand the cops time probably cost more than the resale value of the bike"

Yeah, it might even involve the slug having to get out of his patrol car. I see lots of obviously UNbusy cops 'round my neck of the woods. In fact, around here if ya want the cops ya call 7-1-1 not 9-1-1-!!!

wunderkind

I knew you'd latch on to that piece.
Just like the Canucks winning the Stanley Cup, I want to believe....

closetbiker

Hey. We have the park. It's much nicer than the cup.

and why wouldn't I latch onto it? Not only it's the only link provided, and it underlines my point.

If you get anymore links, send them my way. I'm going to write a column on bike theft and can use all the references I can get.

As it is, all the references I have show theft as a drag for the few individuals that have their bikes swiped (most likely because they didn't lock 'em up right), but not much of a problem for most of us.

Tarkin

The only time my bike ever got stolen was when I left it unlocked behind my house. So kid probably just wandered by and rode off with it; or maybe it was an international ring of vintage bike thieves . . .

My Dad always used to say "Locks only keep honest people honest." The point is that if someone really wants to steal your bike there is little you can do to stop them. If my bike would have had a lock when I left it behind my house that kid would have just kept walking. I always thought that if my bike didn't look like something someone wanted to steal then they probably wouldn't. So I lock my bike, but I've also taken to slapping stickers on it. I got a sticker when I bought a helmet, when I ordered a coat, when I bought a laptop, and I even got a set of stickers when I bought an iphone. All of them are now strategically placed on knicks and scratches on my bike, but the effect is that it looks kinda odd. I think it's cool but hopefully other people think it's ugly. Maybe this is all in my head, but between my lock and my stickers my bike hasn't been stolen yet.

neil

I live in the centre of a medium sized city (pop. ~1M), and have never had problems with leaving lights and panniers on the bike for short stops (though I worry about it), and just locking up seems enough to prevent bike theft. If I'm going to be a while, lights and accessories get removed.

Cable locks provide little-to-no security. For someone who had no intention of stealing a bike today, it might help since they can't just pick it up, but anyone who's looking will have cable cutters that can get through it in a few seconds. U-locks or chains that are too thick for portable bolt cutters are the only real protection.

My system is a u-lock through the frame, rack and rear wheel, with a cable stretched to encompass the front wheel. The cable isn't much, but given the value of a used wheel by itself, should be adequate. The smaller the u-lock you can accomplish this with, the better your security as larger u-locks give more leverage for breaking the lock. Breaking locks is the fastest and least obvious way through a u-lock...grinding is possible on any lock, but is noisy and takes substantial time.

There's no such thing as a theft-proof locking system, but once you move up to u-locks most thefts are professionals, who will know how much your bike is really worth, and assess the risk-reward ratio accordingly. You don't have to be foolproof, just have a cheaper bike/better locking system combination than the next guy.