Ugging up your bike helps repel thieves, but some people like a prettier ride. Yet despite frequent complaints and fears about bike theft in the city, many urban bikers do a crappy job of securing their own two-wheelers.
Now, mechanic Hal Ruzal of New York’s Bicycle Habitat is grading cyclists on their lock-up job — and also educating eco-travelers on how not to get their bikes stolen.
I’m not that embarrassed to say I’d probably get a C- or so from Hal. I use a cable lock and put it through both wheels and the frame — but my seat could be easily stolen, and I’m guessing the fact that I don’t use a U-lock is also not good news — though I’m not sure of the exact reasons why.
Do you? And how well do you lock up your bike?
How thoroughly I lock my bike depends on where and for how long it will be locked. Sometimes I forgo the full wheel locking for quick stops, but I always u-lock the frame. On message boards I hear tons of stories of stolen bikes, but what I don’t hear is stories of stolen bikes that were u-locked. Nearly every story is a bike that was not locked at all for a second, or cable locked. Cable locks can be broken in a few seconds by someone with the right cutters. If two bikes are side by side and one is u-locked and one is cable locked, the cable locked bike will be the one stolen.
If I’m riding one of my nicer bikes and will be locking for an extended time, I’ll u-lock the frame, wrap a heavy cable around both wheels and use a mini cable on my saddle. For special occasions I also have a heavy duty reinforced steel chain link lock that can only be broken with heavy power tools, the kind of grade of lock you see on motorcycles or scooters. I like locks, :). So far no bikes stolen, knock on wood. I did have a seat and seat post stolen once in Venice though, but that was before I was as thorough with my locking.
Comment by Gary K. — May 12, 2009 @ 10:44 am
I’m with Gary on this one. I have a variety of locks and the number and which I use depends on how long I intend on leaving my bike and where it is. I got tired of worrying about my seat so I replaced the quick release. I also try to have a variety of locks, especially if I am going someplace I am not familiar with since some of the racks or lack of bike racks, can make locking up a bike more challenging. I actually find my panniers to be the most annoying part of locking my bike on a normal basis though. I sometimes have to strategically plan my errands so my panniers aren’t filled with stuff after my first errand stop. Otherwise I have to worry about dragging the stuff along with me to the next destination or risking leaving it outside with my bike.
Comment by M — May 12, 2009 @ 10:53 am
It depends on where I am, but when I’m leaving it in an exposed location, my locking system would get a B+/A-. I don’t lock the seat, but I do everything else he recommends.
That’s based on the earlier videos–I haven’t watched this one yet.
Comment by How Green Is My Valley — May 12, 2009 @ 11:35 am
I’ve got my wheels and seat locked on with a proprietary locking system which needs a special key to get these things off, and I use a ridiculously heavy Kryptonite “NYC” chain and lock. Seems to be working, as I leave my bike locked up outside my apt and work buildings 24/7/365… that chain sure is heavy, though!
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Comment by Jenn (TinyChoices.com) — May 12, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
I use a cable lock and a U lock. Generally U lock through frame and rear tire, cable through frame and front tire. I replaced the quick-release mechanism for the seat and put in a standard bolt after I had a seat stolen. I lost a rear wheel once when someone cut the cable and stole the wheel (presumably after discovering that I also had the U-lock on the bike). Since then, I try to always hit the back wheel with the U-lock.
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Comment by Don Hosek — May 13, 2009 @ 11:29 am
I’m wondering if I should make a trip to Bikerowave to have my seat and handlebars secured somehow. But right now I don’t even take any of the accessories off — basket, lights — which are easily removable…. Am I tempting fate? My bike’s not that fancy….
Comment by Siel — May 15, 2009 @ 3:00 pm