Out and about in London, let’s take a look at how you actually lock your bikes, highlighting the good and bad examples of how to lock your bike.
This conspicuous rider has decorated their bicycle in yellow and black hazard warning tape. A very novel idea, and no, it is not a nomination for this year’s Turner Prize.
A hideous work of aesthetic-butchery it may be, and for this reason it scores maximum points for being highly unattractive as far as a bike thief is concerned.
As mentioned in the recent three-part bike security article, thieves prefer homogenous branded bicycles that are recognisable, and easy to sell-on (e.g. A Trek mountain bike, a GT Mountain bike, etc). Being individualistic with the style and appearance of a bike is a good thing for bike security.
Even the functional and boring mudguards do not escape the decorative treatment! Bonus points!
However, this particular example is let down by the incompetent steel chain wrapped in a thin plastic covering. The erroneous locking techniques accumulate: The chain is loose, not tightly wrapped. The chain only lightly secures the frame, leaving both wheels free for disassembly.
Despite all this, this unique bike remains happily on the bike stand. Which is more that can be said for the next example…
7 comments:
I lived in London for 2 years and used to cycle most of the time and I have never had my bike stolen. Maybe I was lucky? :)
My theory is that women are much less likely to buy a stolen bike than guys are. Thieves know this so stick to nicking mens bikes. So guys forget the ego and get a nice pretty ladies bike with a wicker basket!
Mathew
Love the idea of riding a woman's bike, though I doubt many men will be able to get past even the slightest machismo to do so.
I see so many bikes that have been jacked or had parts stolen it is insane. That's why we always keep ours under lock and key inside, and when on the road, never out of sight. That's what makes the foldable Bromptons so awesome. They are so portable.
But it is true, people really don't do enough to secure their bikes.
On my old car, I sprayed paint all over the easily-removable stereo. I assumed this would make it undesirable to thieves, and personally I didn't care two hoots as long as I could listen to my music. I also purposefully let the car get dirty and a bit battered, for the same reason. And didn't bother to sort out the oxidised wing.
For my bike, I always lock the frame AND the wheel, and I use a U lock. And remove all nickable accessories (lights and pump). And leave it in plain view. Seems to work. Haven't had a bike nicked for years.
And anyway, the last time I reported a bike stoken... I had been to the shops on my bike, had some kind of brainstorm, left it locked up outside and walked home. The following morning I couldn't find my bike in the garage so reported it stolen. Got a call from the police a day later (at which point I still hadn't twigged my stupid mistake) to say it had been found locked up outside the local shop. Oops.
Always make sure that you park your bike on a safe place and great security for your bike.
Love that photo with the tape!
Well good!
Sam
I'm not sure about the tape. Might stop people from stealing it, but would you want to be seen riding it?
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