If stopped in an "academic setting" just tell them it is part of an ongoing research study about viable personal mobility devices in a post peak oil environment with regards to multimodal transit and urban space :)

There's is a couple of things you can do...

If you don't want loose sight of your Brompton, buy the "B Bag" that goes with it. The bag allow you to carry your Brompton out of view from others just like a bag pack. I don't think anyone will really deny you entrance to a class with that, unless you're not allowed to bring any bags at all (like in some libraries).
It's also handy with bad weather, because not many will be too happy if you bring a muddy bicycle inside.

On the Brompton a normal ringlock can be fitted, look for example for an "Axa Defender" lock. Some models allow you to also insert a steel cable into the lock, in order to secure your bike to a solid object.
Another type of lock that goes well with folding bikes, is the folding lock like the "Abus Bordo". These types of locks are very rugged and fold down to a very small size.
Another fun lock you could use on your bike are the "Masterlock Streetcuffs". Designed like handcuffs, they can keep your bike safe too.

The trouble with many folding bikes however is that they have lots of adjustable components. So even if you secure your frame to a bike rack, your seatpost e.g. might still be vulnerable to theft. So you have to really consider if you like to expose your expensive Brompton to 'hazards' like that.

Personally I would prefer to keep my folding bike with me, whenever I can. And I think you can easily bring one into a class room, especially when it is covered.

I'm not sure wheeling a bike from class to class would be all that practical, it's quite a different scenario from taking it into the workplace and being able to lock it in an office / under a desk.

You speak anthropologese! I like it! And I will definitely use this, by the way.

Thanks again for everyone's input! Really appreciated. I'm still considering two things, really. This would be one of them:
It really does seem like it could be more of a restriction on my mobility than otherwise. I'll just have to weigh this against the potential benefits of having a folder. Like I said, I'll probably wait to get on campus, and get a better sense of my commute, to figure this out.

My other concern is how well the bike rolls while covered. I know many of you think I could get by without covering, but I can think of a couple buildings where a cover would be necessary. Besides, I'd just rather not draw that much attention to myself. So: Is the Brompton easy to roll with the cover bag over it? Can you stick the seat out of the bag while it's covered to help push it or am I going to be leaning over to push the bike along?

I strongly suggest you having a beater for US$80 or less.

It'd be wonderful if this were an option! As I've said, I'd be sacrificing a lot of mobility. I also have to store any bike I have in a tiny studio, and have need to take a bike on Amtrak two or three times a month. Thanks, though.

I reckon you should start with a used Citizen Tokyo if you can get one for a very low price, and maybe upgrade a couple of bits to improve the ride slightly. Or a Dahon boardwalk or Downtube etc., anything that's basically cheap and cheerful enough to be a folding beater and can be left outside without the dread of losing a massive sum of money.

If you do go down the Brompton route by using the telescopic seat post you have another rolling option (on rack and easy wheels) as you can have the main seat post lowered (which locks the fold) then extend the upper part as handle to push the bike. This would work with the cover, I think. I made my own telescopic seat post which, having misjudged the shim size, didn't work out as cheaply as I hoped. . . but I chose a longer upper section which extends to a comfortable height for me to roll.

Fold in and put it in a bag. Find a place to leave it each day - it's not that hard, say chat up a nice librarian and tuck it into the corner of a storage closet. Out of sight out of mind. If not I'd do what the other folks have suggested and get a beater bike to lock up.

OK. Vik has the right idea. Think laterally. Is it really a choice between "carry this everywhere" and "lock it somewhere where it will get stolen" ?

There are no lockers, for bikes, or other large items to rent on your campus ? There are no places where bikes are under the surveillance of campus security, direct, or not direct ? Is there a campus cycling society/collective of some kind that will advise you ? Speak to campus security to see if bike stealing is a problem, or if there are particular places where locked bikes do/do not get stolen.

It is a tricky one. Otherwise, as I recommended to someone else, if it is a question of multimodal get two beaters. One to ride to the station from home and leave locked there, one for the station-campus-station journey at the other end. If either gets stolen, no big deal.

i fold my dahon up and put it in the cart - at whole food. sometimes i just roll my unfolded bike into trader joe's. nobody bothers me except when they ask to take a picture or ask me questions about it. lol. don't underestimate the bike's ability to charm people. mine is a pretty powder blue so it's prolly easy to like. :)

i've found that people are far nicer and accommodating than i ever imagined they'd be. i bring mine into restaurants and i either put it next to me at the table or they've offered to stash it for me, without me even asking. this has happened in clothing stores too. but, some movie theaters are not so accommodating. but, i've found a movie theater that is and i go there when i can.

i also roll my bike around with the seatpost extended. it's fine. i gave up driving a year ago and at first i was a little annoyed by the entire process of folding, etc. then i realized that it's just another set of things to do. if i were driving, i'd have to find a space to park, park, then set the alarm, etc. i just had to change my mentality about some things.

and you have to think that stealing let's say your folded dahon from a restaurant would be interesting. first, everybody at the rest would know it's not theirs cuz all eyes were on you when you brought it in. and, the thief would have to fumble with it to steal it. most thieves like a clean easy getaway. a folded 20" wheeled bike sitting in a restaurant would not be so clean a getaway, imo - unless, he was a folding bike specialist.

i fold mine up at put it under my desk at work every day - somebody would have to reach under my desk and take it. again, unless they are a folding bike specialist thief, they won't really know how to unfold it or carry it so easily away. plus, everybody knows this is my bike. lol. i'm the only one who frickin commutes (partly) on a bike.

i'm not saying you won't have to make adjustments, but i prefer the lifestyle i have now to the one i had before.

It's not really, well not with the single front rack. Maybe better with the dual front rack. And you can pull up the cover a bit though and roll it.

As someone who has done exactly that...well, honestly, as long as there weren't many stairs it wasn't too much of a problem. Before I had my office in the lab, I did bring the Brommie everywhere. Yes, even into the restrooms. In between buildings, I just unfold and ride (it saved me a few minutes, especially if my next class was way across campus), unless the building is right next door, in which case rolling works just fine. I have the M6L (no rear rack) and it rolls perfectly well if I leave the handlebars up and use it like a pushcart. I did change the built-in caster wheels to scooter wheels though, which made the rolling so much easier.

If you're worried about wrangling your bike and a backpack or other luggage at the same time, I strongly suggest getting the integrated front luggage system. That is the best thing ever, I swear. I have the Brompton S-bag for everyday use and a bigger Carradice bag. I also added a Klickfix seatpost mount and a Klickfix basket for the times when I really need to haul stuff. If you're concerned about the price, ask Folderfanatic about making your own luggage that will work with the front luggage system. She also makes a nifty bike cover (which she very kindly gave me one of!), and I'm pretty sure that with a little cutting and sewing, you can modify it to have a hole on top that you can poke the saddle out of. The official Brompton cover does have a hole that you can use for that purpose, as shown in this video:

Ok. I'm intrigued. Does this involve modifying the bag or making a special rack?

#t=430s
I just wheel my bike into class everyday, every time. I was stopped once at the science library, but the second I said "University policy states that it's-" the guy let me through saying that he didn't know most of these policies. You can always just pose the question to the transportation/parking office (since they usually handle the bike stuff) and ask if there is anything preventing you from bringing the folded bike in, and they're likely to tell you that there's nothing saying you can't. The bike probably only takes up a very small space in the corner of the room, so I don't think anyone is really going to care that much.

OP, how about one of these?

I always like to encourage others to "take matters into their own hands" and make at least the simple type of bags and slipcovers for their own bikes. Nekohime's slipcover I made for her was the final version of the slipcover series I was designing & sewing for use on all brands of folding/separating bikes just last year. I found the Brompton one that I made for both my own Brompton and her own Brompton was very nice and quick to do. I do include a finished opening to grasp the frame directly-zippers can wear out & break in time and add more time to the sewing part. I think most saddles will poke through it-providing the saddle's width is narrow enough if that is what you want to use the opening for (I did placed one on your own slipcover also, Nekohime). I am in the process of doing some bags, then slipcovers for my oddly shaped-and much larger-Raleigh Twenty for my own use as I honestly don't see much commercial interest for Raleigh Twenty accessories. I will include some photos below as shown of my first bag's Test 1 Version: Twenty bagged then positioned vertically on the luggage cart ready to wheel about, another photo shows it peeking out from the bag. That is what I mean by treating your bag completely covered up as just another luggage-plus able to wheel about in the most congested aisles. The bag itself might not be flashy or trendy even at this stage of early development, but it still does it's job it was basically designed & intended for.

As for price, I don't want to elaborate it here as I don't want Nekohime know how much her gift was. Suffice to say, doing it yourself is a real money and sometimes even time saver (you don't have to wait around for it to be delivered or go to the dealer to buy one).

No, I bought the luggage cart as is and the bag is what it is designed to do-cover up.

Nice thought, but in most places as bikes become more valuable as transportation, no bike no matter the cost or appearance, is safe

Before folding bikes were developed compact folding technology as well as they are now, I used skateboards until my mid-twenties.

I live midtown, NYC. There are places where I simply cannot or do not want to go indoors with my Birdy or wife's Brommie. Trader Joe's, Metropolitan Hardware, Museums, etc. I have a 3.5 foot Fuggedaboutit Kryptonite chain attaching the frame to secure racks + a cable through the wheels and through the seat. The cable can be snipped if thief wants to bother with the evident tangle. But the chain must be attacked with a grinder (est. time is about 4 minutes.) Even in NYC, that's a little much for busy daylight environment.

I have a well-fitted backpack, but sometimes I transport the heavy chain in a bungied sack on my rear carrier. This is about fairly limited, just several mile, distances, not touring.

So don't jump to the conclusion that folders are unlockable and only an idiot would ever have a reasonable occasion to lock. I haven't had the bike that long, and if it's stolen this thread will be the first to learn of it along with my apology. Until then, use common sense, spend the $ for a chain, and enjoy.

Better yet, leave the bike(s) at home or another similarly sort of indoor place. I don't feel the need to drag either of my bikes along everywhere I go. Either I drive, carpool, or take public transit & walk instead. When I was younger, I skateboarded or had skates, too. Kyptonite and other bike lock companies are in the business of making money on purchases of their locks, not guaranteeing replacment of your bike if stolen 100 percent of the time (have any of you taken the time and read the fine print?). Beside would they-even if they're able to-replace my no longer-made-folding bikes? My Raleigh Twenty and the Brompton CE3 both have been discontinued for years. I think not plus I really like my own now customize bikes and I am not interested in "giving" them away to some neanderthal bike thief brute. And these idiots can be anything from a brain dead kid out for a free bike, to a junkie needing a fix, to the real professional bike rings. They are no longer confined to the larger cities either.

Folding bikes are very lockable. They are just like any other bike except they are able to fold and/or separate. But why go through the extra expense of buying this type of bike (they cost more compared to a similarly spec bike that does not fold/separate), if you are going to treat it just like any other bike? Remember dear forum members, that all of us here are not created equally financially and loss from theft can mean anything from uncomfortable feeling/violation to a major personal/ financial disaster and disruption of getting to work to make a living. I always keep that in mind when I discuss personal security with other people. Apologies don't bring back the bike, personal safety, or money.

Folders are lockable. That was my point. Further, there are many reasons for owning one besides that fact that you can carry them, like a precious child, wherever you go. And the alternative need not be to leave the bike at home. I am fresh off of my early-newbie purchasing experience so I'm speaking from that perspective (compare my 5 posts here with the 2,428 from Folder Fanatic,) but sometimes a beginner's eye picks up a point or two neglected by old timers.

As a general impression, I'd say there is a strong bias against even discussing folder security beyond the "fold-and-carry" strategy. There's almost a sense that locking violates the "spirit" of folder bikes. Likewise, the very helpful sales people at several shops I visited all discouraged any detailed discussion of locking.

I'm not being cavalier about security and theft, but I'd discourage anyone from buying a folder (or car, or cellphone, whatever) unless factoring into the cost sensible security options----and these might include owning more than one locking choice to suit different circumstances and uses. The expense of owning a helmet or night lights should not be not contingent on the rider's personal wealth or value of the bike. In this respect, making full use of a bike on a college campus requires, IMO, the option of a beefy locking system.

+1

The other thing to consider is what do you do if you run into someone who absolutely won't let your folder in with you? Better to have a good backup plan for when, not if, this happens.

I say, bring it in with you whenever it's reasonable to do so. The rest of the time, lock it sensibly. You're still signifincantly migtigating the risk of having your bike nicked even if you can only bring it in with you half the time.

Your right that we are somewhat reluctant to entertain locking a folder. For me there would be no point to owning one if i felt good about locking it up outside. I recently moved to a building where bikes are not allowed in the building. I sold my beautiful Surly LHT which i loved. At a considerable loss i might add to live here. However i walk past the office often with my Brompton folded and nothing has been said even though they know what it is as they see me ride up on it. Im guessing theres alot of folks on here who bought a folder to ride to work or other reasons where "regular" bikes are not allowed inside. I guess many on here see no reason to own one if we werent keeping it by our side. Except once you own one you get folderitis.
To answer another question bought up here. If they dont let me in with it i would just would not go in. However ive not had that experience. Ive been only questioned once and when i offered to cover it which i dont usually do they said go ahead. Ive taken it everywhere,even places you would guess would not allow it like movies, museums. Some places you just check it at coat check,one can get creative about it. However there probably are some folders that dont fold as small as a Brompton where one might have trouble. I cant say from experience that way.

This site has helped me feel more confident--even assertive--about taking my folder indoors in a variety of circumstances. That, of course, is a major (but not only) benefit of a folder. However, in the short time I've owned one, a lock and chain has been a deal-breaker several times: either because of cramped and crowded spaces or not wanting to bother with interactions of a doorman or coat checker. I'm also familiar with many college campuses. Owning a lock and chain doesn't mean it has to be used all the time, but when thinking about the OP's question, I can imagine many instances when carrying the extra weight would be preferable to squeezing into some college environments with a Brompton, small as it is.

And what about people who cannot afford to replace their bikes if they follow your suggestions, your best wishes? 2,428-5=2,423 posts I was able to write as I still have all my bikes-not give them away to the bike thieves down the street. I was able to sell one (see reproduced ad below), donate another-the Dahon Boardwalk-to a bike co-op for someone else to enjoy, and stripping off all of the good parts from both bikes plus from the money the sale of the Piccolo generated (see below), restored my Raleigh Twenty fully without tapping the limited family funds in any way. This is the first folding bikes I ever bought and the first bicycles of any type I was able to sell or donate, rather than becoming another crime statistic yet again. I go with hard knocks and what works.

I do not see any point of owning a folding bike beyond the foldable option for transport and storage. As I stated before, folding bikes are far more expensive than a comparable bike that does not fold/separate. I was perfectly happy to ride my old bikes as bikes for me is simply transportation when the public transit cuts out at 7:30 in the evening. Beyond that, I am a Los Angeles native and that means I prefer to drive as the infrastructure here (from the lack of dependable public transportation, to secure manned bike cages, to a local law enforcement that takes cars far more seriously over bikes) simply never has and probably never will support cycling beyond a cute recreational activity for people with money. But the bikes always serve as an important transportation back up in my plan. That means the only bike that is very adaptable to a hostile environment such as I live in seems to be the folding bike (and soon a folding tricycle as a new Worksman Port-O-Trike is about to be purchased here). Nothing else works, period.

Because there is a harsh, but true lesson most any experienced cyclist learns eventually that locks his/her bike: it gets stolen. No matter what precautions you take or fancy named locks you use.

“Sensible” is a nice middle class word-a word I eliminated from my vocabulary when I fell out of the middle class. My sister suggested to me that you might not be aware that many people who ride bikes anywhere are p-o-o-r and don’t have the same financial means that you do. She also lived in the Northeast when she went away to college. And she lived for a time in New York City. She told me that the better heeled New York City residents are sheltered or ensconced in an protective area of the city, just like it is here (except we are more spread out than you). I hope you will be able to replace your bikes should your intended security practices fail you. I don’t have that luxury anymore and choose to practice things and techniques that work in the past and probably will work in the future.

Plus I would like to keep posting. If my bikes are stolen, I could not do so.


The Reproduced Ad From Los Angeles Area Craigslist Last Summer
*****
Gently Used 2006 Steel Frame Dahon Piccolo Folding Bicycle For Sale - $300 (NE Los Angeles)


A nice steel frame lightweight 16” Dahon Piccolo is now available for sale. I owned it since I bought it new in 2006. I kept it stored inside the house within it’s own nylon bag when not in use. I never rode it in the rain. This method of care seemed to prevent the usual wear and tear most other bikes experienced. The paint job has no scratches beyond a slight scuff or two. It is neat and very clean. I must sell this little rare beauty as I am becoming crowded out of my residence with now 4 bikes-and I have not ridden this particular bike since December 2009-eight months ago. I think it should go to someone who needs it and will also appreciate it.

Price of $300.00 is Firm, Cash Only-All Sales Final No Returns Accepted Serious Inquiries Only Please
Pick Up Only In The Southern California (Los Angeles) Area

Features:
All Original Parts This Bike Came With Including:

• 2 Instruction Books (yes, the bike shop gave me 2 at purchase)
• Three Speed Sturmey-Archer AW Internal Hub Gear
• Telescoping Stem AND Telescoping Seat Post (lots of height adjustment options)
• Modern Sturmey Archer Twist shifting which “clicks” into gear
• Simple Dahon Brand Spring Saddle (mine differs from the official Spec Sheet for some reason but still passable comfort for use)
• Original Rear Rack-including the the unique Bungee Cord (used only once) that came with it
• Both Fenders/Mudguards
• Original Plastic Chain Guard
• Original never-been-patched Tires

Bonus Additional Parts & Upgrades Added Later By Myself Included In The Sale:
2 bags (Shopping/Tote style Handlebar Bag sewn by me (see photo at the Flickr Account), & the above mentioned store purchased Nylon Storage Bag

Light Tune Up Involving: New Brake Cable & Housing replaced one that cracked by a professional bike mechanic, Lubed All Moving Parts, Light Cleaning & Inspection-Ready To Ride Condition.

For People (from Dahon’s own Spec Sheet):
SUGGESTED RIDER HEIGHT 137 cm - 188 cm (4'6" - 6'2")
MAX RIDER WEIGHT 105 kg. (230 lbs.)

And More Information From Dahon’s Spec Sheet:
http://dahon.com.br/archive/2006/piccolod3.htm

Photographs Of My Own Piccolo (Available On Flickr As A Set, Too):