How to steal 1 bike or lots of bikes.

[MB1]

I work part time in a bike shop in DC. There is rarely a day where someone doesn't come in to replace their stolen bike. We show folks over and over again how to lock their bike but do they listen? Heck no!

DC is a great city for bike commuting. The weather is pretty good, cycling facilities are not bad, the Metro is over capacity and auto traffic is amazingly congested. At my day job downtown I see hundreds of bikes parked all over the place.

Very few are locked up correctly. It is easy picking for any bike thief with ambition.

[MB1]

#1 Don't just run a lock thru the front wheel or someone will remove your bike from the wheel and get a wheel from...

#2 & 3 Don't just lock the frame or the guy who just took #1 will steal your wheels and ride away..

#4a Don't rely on a cable lock alone. For one thing they are crazy easy to cut away which brings us to...

#4b Lock your bike to something solid and make sure your bike can't be lifted over that something solid (BTW trees are not solid).

#5 If you have locks use them all the time, don't leave them dangling from your seat. Make your bike harder to steal than some one elses bike and yours is much more likely to be there when you get back.

#6 Use your very expensive lock correctly. Lock both wheels, the frame and your seat if you can.

[MB1]

#1 Run a U-Lock through the rear wheel and the frame and something solid AND lasso your front wheel with a sturdy cable that runs over your frame through the seat and down to the U-Lock.

#2 Use a big motorcycle security chain and lock through the wheels and frame and around something solid. Bonus points for being inside a locking cage. Double bonus points for being inside a secured building (don't be foolish and not lock your bike correctly in a cage, bikes incorrectly locked get taken from places like this all the time).

Bonus Note. OLDER LOCKS WITH CIRCULAR KEYS ARE NOT SECURE. I opened this lock with the Bic pen shown here. If you have a lock like this replace it now.

Few things rile me as much as bike theives, don't encourage them by making it easy for them to steal your bike.

BTW I have never had one of my bikes stolen (knock on wood).

[SCW]

Great post, MB1. I've never had to lock a bike (well, not since I was a kid at the swimming pool, 20 years ago). I am either on mine or it's next to my desk. Most places I have lived have minimal bike services around town, so I would rather take pubic (public) transit around town and leave the bike at the office.

I have been thinking about painting over the nice paint job on my 2005 Cannondale and making it look as bad as possible. My friend did that to his Specialized and it has worked for years.

[everydaybike]

Originally Posted by MB1

I work part time in a bike shop in DC. There is rarely a day where someone doesn't come in to replace their stolen bike. We show folks over and over again how to lock their bike but do they listen? Heck no!

DC is a great city for bike commuting. The weather is pretty good, cycling facilities are not bad, the Metro is over capacity and auto traffic is amazingly congested. At my day job downtown I see hundreds of bikes parked all over the place.

Very few are locked up correctly. It is easy picking for any bike thief with ambition.

I can tell you from experience... In a past life I was a cop.(1976 -1982) IF someone really wants to snag your bike, they will. Locks don't mean anything but added time to the heist. A pro can use a straight awl or cutters to cut through anything that is out there. The only thing that stops them is where you put your bike.. Keep it in sight of lots of people or yourself and never think it's out of reach. Truthfully, in a high crime area, nothing is safe. Not even virginity! Apology to all ladies but it's true. And yes, I am synical. However, experience is a good teacher.

Cheers...

[MB1]

Originally Posted by everydaybike

I can tell you from experience... In a past life I was a cop.(1976 -1982) IF someone really wants to snag your bike, they will. Locks don't mean anything but added time to the heist. A pro can use a straight awl or cutters to cut through anything that is out there. The only thing that stops them is where you put your bike.. Keep it in sight of lots of people or yourself and never think it's out of reach. Truthfully, in a high crime area, nothing is safe. Not even virginity! Apology to all ladies but it's true. And yes, I am synical. However, experience is a good teacher.

Cheers...

Then they will go steal some other bike that isn't locked up so well. But yes, if someone really wants your bike it is gone, all you can do is improve your chances.

[Cerddwyr]

MB1,
what is your opinion of the Master Lock Python? I like the ability to get both wheels, the frame and the seat, and still get everything snug (no room to generate leverage). I am just not sure about the mechanism that binds the cable, some sort of cam that just gets tighter the more you pull is my guess.

best,
Gordon

[GirchyGirchy]

Originally Posted by Cerddwyr

MB1,
what is your opinion of the Master Lock Python? I like the ability to get both wheels, the frame and the seat, and still get everything snug (no room to generate leverage). I am just not sure about the mechanism that binds the cable, some sort of cam that just gets tighter the more you pull is my guess.

best,
Gordon

I tried one of those - it was awful. I purchased it just for secondary security (to lock my good bikes to the frame inside a locked storage room outside my apartment), so I wasn't too worried it was a cable.

Well, I got home, locked it, and never got it unlocked again. I had to take a Dremel tool to it to get it off. It was a piece of crap.

Plus, it's not secure - get a U-Lock and cable lock at the least.

[MB1]

Originally Posted by Cerddwyr

MB1,
what is your opinion of the Master Lock Python? I like the ability to get both wheels, the frame and the seat, and still get everything snug (no room to generate leverage). I am just not sure about the mechanism that binds the cable, some sort of cam that just gets tighter the more you pull is my guess.

best,
Gordon

I am not a big fan of trying something new like that until it has been around for quite a while and is proven. We had the Python and the Cuff locks in the store for a while last year, all the young sales kids loved them because they were new. IMHO they didn't work all that well, they didn't solve a problem better than proven older designs and they wern't all that secure. We no longer sell them.

My personal choice for security is the Kryptonite New York Series or their motorcycle stuff or never having my bike out of my control. $100 worth of locks in a city or college campus provides a lot more that $100 peace of mind-anything less than that and you are just wasting your time. YMMV

[Ridgetop]

Thanks for the post. Had never thought about locking the seat down before. As much as they cost I should have. In the future I'll be running the cable through it also.

[SkiDiver]

I don't usually carry a lock b/c I keep my bike in my office, garage or under my butt at all times. But I may occasionally have to make a side trip and leave the bike outside. The tips on this thread are great.

How bad is bike theft in Cambridge, MA (in the heart of the Harvard campus) during the daytime? I'm wondering if it's worth bringing my good bike (2000 Bianchi Veloce) and locking it with a U-lock and cable as described here, or if I should just bring my beater (1976 Peugeot UO8) on days that I have to spend time there.

I know the beater makes way more sense, but my good bike is so much more fun.... How much of a risk would I be taking? I would only be doing this a 1-4 times a month, in all likelihood.

[MB1]

Originally Posted by SkiDiver

How bad is bike theft in Cambridge, MA (in the heart of the Harvard campus) during the daytime? I'm wondering if it's worth bringing my good bike (2000 Bianchi Veloce) and locking it with a U-lock and cable as described here, or if I should just bring my beater (1976 Peugeot UO8) on days that I have to spend time there.

Campus Security Officers often downplay bike theft and other crimes so don't rely too much on what they say. Real police and bike shops are likely your best source of information.

[fbagatelleblack]

Originally Posted by MB1

Campus Security Officers often downplay bike theft and other crimes so don't rely too much on what they say. Real police and bike shops are likely your best source of information.

Back in my days at Hahvuhd (said with nose tilted up at appropriate angle), 1982-1987, bike theft was epidemic. Anything that could be stolen, would be stolen, on campus or in Harvard Square in general (or anywhere else in the Boston Metro area). I would never have dreamed of leaving my race bike outside locked or unlocked. I did leave my beatup old Fuji 10 speed with steel rims locked up outside when I absolutely had too. I had front QR and a nutted rear, so it was fairly easy to lock it relatively securely with a U-lock and a plumbing "T" joint from a hardware store so thieves could not get a good purchase on the end of the U-lock with a pry bar. Still, as others have pointed out, if anyone had really wanted my bike, they would have gotten it. I know at least three ways to get through the locking setup I just described in under 30 seconds.

Bring the beater! Leave the nice bike at home or keep it in your room at all times!

Yours,

Forbes B-Black
Santa Clarita, CA

[beantownbiker]

As earlier stated, thieves will/can go through any lock, just give them the time, and no-one is going to stop them. i wish i could put out a highly publicized study showing that bike theft leads to worse crimes, police seem to respond to studies like that. The recent crack down on misdemeanor's in many city's has people afraid to litter (not NYC though, people still throw their garbage everywhere but the trash cans here) however bike theft still seems to be a largely ignored crime by the police.

suggestions:

make your bike the biggest pain in the ass to steal, ie: 2 or 3 locks, even one of those "u locks" through a frame and wheel, a high quality chain and pick-resistant lock also through wheel and frame.

I have a friend who has no idea how to lock up a bike and has had three bikes stolen this year from union sq area in NYC(she doesnt seem to worry cause shes loaded). Also, locked up to the same bike rack she uses are two extremely nice bikes (a beautiful ciocc steel frame, and a waterford era schwinn paramount with king headset). these two bikes are locked up all day with two NYC kryptonite chains (w/ molly locks) and one even has an additional small u lock running from frame to front wheel) Neither has been stolen all year. the moral of the story, make your bike a pain in the ass to steal. it takes a good 20 minutes to get through those kryptonite chains with electric cutting tool..

[kai-ming]

Great post, MB1.
The safest way to keep my touring bike overnight when I do cycling tour in China is to sleep with my bike, i.e. I lock up myself, my bike and all of my belongings in the hotel room. Commute by cycling in China and probably in Hong Kong will often be looked down by people (perhaps different if you are a white European ). We often have to make the Hotel/Guesthouse reception to understand that to let us bring our bikes in the room is one of the conditions that they have to agree even before price bargaining, i.e. if you want the business you have to agree or we go find somewhere else.
Back in the days when I worked in Tai Po ( an new/flat area of Hong Kong where it is planned to be more bicycle friendly), I will go shopping/lunch/fooling around every day with my HK$1000 (US$120) bike. I had great success with this lock (as shown in picture attached). After seeing MB's Bic pen circle rubbish lock, it appears that mine is very similar. My question is, is mine the same rubbish lock and I was lucky that I didn't get my commuter stolen OR that is a good one and I should keep using it.

Originally Posted by MB1

#1 Run a U-Lock through the rear wheel and the frame and something solid AND lasso your front wheel with a sturdy cable that runs over your frame through the seat and down to the U-Lock.

#2 Use a big motorcycle security chain and lock through the wheels and frame and around something solid. Bonus points for being inside a locking cage. Double bonus points for being inside a secured building (don't be foolish and not lock your bike correctly in a cage, bikes incorrectly locked get taken from places like this all the time).

Bonus Note. OLDER LOCKS WITH CIRCULAR KEYS ARE NOT SECURE. I opened this lock with the Bic pen shown here. If you have a lock like this replace it now.

Few things rile me as much as bike theives, don't encourage them by making it easy for them to steal your bike.

BTW I have never had one of my bikes stolen (knock on wood).

[beantownbiker]

Originally Posted by kai-ming

Great post, MB1.
The safest way to keep my touring bike overnight when I do cycling tour in China is to sleep with my bike, i.e. I lock up myself, my bike and all of my belongings in the hotel room. Commute by cycling in China and probably in Hong Kong will often be looked down by people (perhaps different if you are a white European ). We often have to make the Hotel/Guesthouse reception to understand that to let us bring our bikes in the room is one of the conditions that they have to agree even before price bargaining, i.e. if you want the business you have to agree or we go find somewhere else.
Back in the days when I worked in Tai Po ( an new/flat area of Hong Kong where it is planned to be more bicycle friendly), I will go shopping/lunch/fooling around every day with my HK$1000 (US$120) bike. I had great success with this lock (as shown in picture attached). After seeing MB's Bic pen circle rubbish lock, it appears that mine is very similar. My question is, is mine the same rubbish lock and I was lucky that I didn't get my commuter stolen OR that is a good one and I should keep using it.

Kai

i believe what you have is an older generation u-lock, shown not to be susceptible to the bic pen trick. to test it take a typical bic pen, pry off either end so your left with just the white tube, see if its the same diameter as your key, if not, your good.

[MB1]

Originally Posted by kai-ming

My question is, is mine the same rubbish lock and I was lucky that I didn't get my commuter stolen OR that is a good one and I should keep using it.

I was quite suprised to find out how easy it is to open that sort of lock with a BIC (or similar) pen. If you can find a stiff but flexiable tube (like the colored BIC pens-not the clear ones) and jam it into the keyhole the tube will deform and end up matching the key profile. It only takes a few seconds to do and if a passerby saw it they would think you were the owner of the lock since it opened so easily.

Your locks keyhole may or may not exactly match the size of a BIC pen but there is likely something out there to match it. If you are worried about bike thieves replace the lock but be aware as we have noted several times in this post no lock is theft proof-all you can do is make it harder in the hope that some other bike will be more attractive than yours.

[Mel Erickson]

For more security without adding much weight or bulk I would suggest NOT securing the cable with the U lock. Lock the cable with a separate lock. That way the thief would have to cut the cable and U lock to steal the bike or wheels. The way you have it secured all the thief would have to do is cut the U lock and the cable is free. Fortunately, I live in a very low crime area and work at the courthouse. My bike is parked at a rack right in front of the police and sheriffs offices. It's a high traffic area and very visible, security cameras and all with cops coming and going all day. In addition, it's where all the prisoners on work realease park their bikes so the jail monitors it quite well. I only use a hefty (5/8") cable and hardened steel shackle lock through the wheels and frame and around the rack and have had good luck. If I locked it anywhere else I'd use two locks. Good work and good advice.

[xkiwi]

...back in my city commuting days/dirt poor
my bike was daily transportation...7-8 miles each way
Always locked, and took the front QR wheel inside

One night came out to find the bike frame twisted into a curve,and the rear wheel
a figure 8


they couldn't steal it...so destroyed it instead
m

[luca]

Originally Posted by MB1

I work part time in a bike shop in DC. There is rarely a day where someone doesn't come in to replace their stolen bike. We show folks over and over again how to lock their bike but do they listen? Heck no!

DC is a great city for bike commuting. The weather is pretty good, cycling facilities are not bad, the Metro is over capacity and auto traffic is amazingly congested. At my day job downtown I see hundreds of bikes parked all over the place.

Very few are locked up correctly. It is easy picking for any bike thief with ambition.

Here is another perspective on the topic of your excellent post MB1.

Another tack open to those that wish to retain their ride is calculated toward reducing demand rather than cutting off supply. That is, apart from resorting to increased security measures -- i.e., bigger locks, removal of QR wheels and seats, etc. -- one has recourse to dimming the lustre of the prize. The classic tactic in this regard is to deploy the beater in high risk areas. But should you not want to go to that extreme, there are other options.

For instance, take a look at the second photo attached to MB1's first post -- the one featuring the red Giant locked to a bicycle rack. Look at the wheelset of this bike. If you were a thief which would attract your attention more: the Giant's black paired-spoked wheels with machined sidewalls or your typical run of the mill single wall non-anodized hoops of the bicycle locked up behind it?

Uh oh, now the Giant is the focus of attention. Nice Lock. As MB1 noted, it's employed in a manner that's about as much as use as tits on a bull where the rear wheel (and possibly the front) is concerned. Effort required to obtain said wheelset: labor needed to open two QR levers. For the commuter, QRs on wheels and seatposts is anything but a convenience if it requires one to remove components to ensure their security. If one insists on QRs, and they compromise security of your ride, then at least hop on down to the local hardware store, plunk the money down for a few hose clamps (50 cents each) and clamp those QR levers shut.

Next, look at the Giant's pedals: they appear to be SPDs with a removeable platform insert installed. This suggests that the owner commutes on flats and that the component, while adding value to the prize, contributes less so to its utility. Why not just go with cheap platforms? Again, as a thief, which of the two is more alluring: the Giant's SPDs or the plastic platforms of the bike behind it? One 15mm wrench and under two minutes later -- don't forget: left arm has left hand thread -- and the Giant is not only clipless it's pedal-less.

To the thief your bike has only to be less worthwhile to steal than the one next to it in order for it remain yours. Accordingly, as well as security measures, the value of the prize relative to what's offered beside it is also integral to a thief's appraisal of the viability of a theft.

Yes, you can buy a more expensive lock; but you can also decide on a less expensive ride. Of course, that's not to suggest that we all commute on Huffys, but to consider what bike we ride (and what components comprise it) and when and where we ride it. This in of itself is not directed so much at preventing theft but at deterring it. Coupled with other deterrents such as a good lock and avoiding poorly lit, sparsely traversed lockups, it may prove sufficient to completely discourage a prospective thief.

luke

[RodeRash]

You should check locally. Locking a bike to a parking meter is unlawful in many cities.

[Argentius]

The fixie is a great anti-theft tool, IMHO.

It's inexpensive, first of all, and its humble appearance compared with dura-ace this and carbon-fiber that likely deters many thieves looking for something they think will grab a quick buck. Not that a determined thief won't have a 15mm on him, but non-quick release axles are that much more annoying to take. At a glance, to a not-very-professional bike thief looking for his next score, a $500 Sora-equipped Giant doesn't look very much different than a $3000 D-A.

I also heard somewhere that having full fenders makes your bike look cheap and reduces your Being Stolen chance by X%. I don't know if that's true...

Anyhow, I think the whole 'use 16 locks' thing is a little silly. I use 1 tough U-lock. it probably weighs 3.5 lbs. I don't really want to haul around a collection of locks that weigh as much as my bike does! Make it annoying to steal, yeah, and don't lock up the nice road bike, that's what I thinks. My Chorus-equipped machine has never seen a lock, and never will.

[djg]

MB1 has some sensible advice on how to lock a bike. Three general points I take from this discussion are: (1) how you lock your bike (and not just THAT you lock your bike) makes a real difference; (2) context--where and when you lock your bike--matters; and (3) it's all relative--there's no perfect way to lock a bike and sometimes your best security lies in being a less desireable target, either because the bike next to you looks nicer or because it looks eaiser to steal.

I tend to moderate my security measures according to the context, but all of my security measures take place against the backdrop of a homeowner's policy that will cover my bike(s) if a thief wins. It's worth having a look at your renter's or homeowner's policy to see if you're covered. If you don't have coverage, you might want to think about acquiring it. I just think it's another way to take a sensible measure of care.

[MB1]

Originally Posted by Argentius

The fixie is a great anti-theft tool, IMHO.

I don't really want to haul around a collection of locks that weigh as much as my bike does!

We leave locks all over town. We each have a big ol' Kryptonite motorcycle chain and lock at work. Miss M has a motorcycle u-lock at Safeway and I keep a cable down by the monuments. Every so often I lube the locks that are outdoors and that is it-we have locks where we need them.

BTW in DC fixties are big time theft bait and I suspect they are in most cities.

Lock your bike.

[kai-ming]

Thank you, MB1.

Originally Posted by MB1

I was quite suprised to find out how easy it is to open that sort of lock with a BIC (or similar) pen. If you can find a stiff but flexiable tube (like the colored BIC pens-not the clear ones) and jam it into the keyhole the tube will deform and end up matching the key profile. It only takes a few seconds to do and if a passerby saw it they would think you were the owner of the lock since it opened so easily.

Your locks keyhole may or may not exactly match the size of a BIC pen but there is likely something out there to match it. If you are worried about bike thieves replace the lock but be aware as we have noted several times in this post no lock is theft proof-all you can do is make it harder in the hope that some other bike will be more attractive than yours.