A series that runs every Tuesday, where I ask questions unrelated to the environment, fair trade, or local politics that I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to google the answers to. Any advice is appreciated.
I should prolly just rename these Sunday questions…
Inside the pouch that my bike helmet manual came in, I found a lil sticker titled “My Emergency Information.” I’m guessing that I should fill this out, then stick it on the helmet — but where? On the inside or the outside? What is the bike helmet protocol here?
Also — My bike lock came with a lil pamphlet about the National Bike Registry. It cost $10 to register a bike for 10 years — Is this something I should do?
Don’t forget that it’s mother’s day :) My mom & I are having a late lunch soon — which she’s cooking, to the horror of my friends. Hey — It’s what she said she wanted to do, dammit. Who am I to deny her wishes on mother’s day?
Don’t mess with the NBR unless UCLA (or are you at USC? I forget) doesn’t have their own bike registry. You might also check with the city.
I’d stick the emergency contact sticker directly on top of the outside of the helmet. That’s the least likely place it will sustain damage — and inside gets pretty humid!
Comment by meg — May 14, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
I say carry ID at all times so that you have your info on you and put ICE in your cell phone with your In Case of Emergency contact as the phone number.
Also would you really be concerned enough to try and recover your bike if it was stolen or would you just move on with your life and buy a new one? I vote move on, but if your bike is very expensive (which mine wasn’t) then don’t sweat it.
Also I would recommend carrying a u-lock and replacing your quick releases with either security quick releases or just plain old bolts. My bike just has bolts and if somebody really wants to steal one of my wheels then they can go for it.
Comment by eecue — May 14, 2006 @ 10:49 pm
I’m sure that the NBR has some value but far more important will be to have your bike’s serial number recorded somewhere so that you can provide it to law enforcement if the bike is stolen.
Some type of ID is important; on your person like in a pocket, a pocket of a camelback/messenger bag, etc., or inside an under saddle bag. Just have ID somewhere and the easier to find the better.
Comment by UrbanRunner — May 15, 2006 @ 8:34 am
The stickers should go on the inside of the helmet. If you have the cord lock you can always run the cable through the front wheel, the frame, and the object you’re attaching it to. My friend had a bike stolen with one of the crypto cord locks in my office building so I wouldn’t leave it overnight with that only.
Comment by ilan — May 15, 2006 @ 9:28 am
Thanks for the informative advice, everyone :) I’ve put the sticker on the inside of the helmet on a part that actually doesn’t touch the head, which should help it stay sweat-free. I thought that putting it on the outside might be revealing too much info about myself to casual passersby –
I’m at USC, but I don’t plan on biking over there — the pink bike — which maybe I should name — will mostly stay in Santa Monica and Venice. So for now I’m just going registrationlessly — and will always carry ID :)
Comment by Siel — May 17, 2006 @ 10:21 am