Securing Your Bike

A bicycle rack, is a device which bicycles can be securely attached to. It may be free standing, securely attached to the ground or a stationary object such as a building.

Securing your bike on a public bike rack

The following tips could help in keeping your bike safe and secure:
1. Even if your bike would be unattended for only a short period of time, you should always take the time to lock your bike. Locking your bike is imperative!

2. It should be kept in mind that a considerable number of bike thefts happen at home premises. So, one should not assume that a bike on the home premises is safe. Even if the bike is stored in your garage or somewhere else on your property, it should be kept locked when unattended.

3. If you are leaving your bike in a public bike rack, the better choice would be to put it in a place that's well lit and busy with pedestrians. Although abandoned "hiding areas" may seem attractive for storing bikes, this seclusion would allow thieves a better chance at taking the bike without any witnesses. Many thieves will keep away from a bike that is kept in a highly visible area because they are more likely to be caught.

4. At every possible instance, lock your bike on a bike rack that is permanently attached to the ground; thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts. If an anchored bike rack is not available on the premises, the bike should be locked to a post that is permanently anchored to the ground. One must ensure that this post is tall enough to prevent the bike from being lifted over the post. Avoid locking your bike to something that can easily be cut with regular tools. Make the lock and bike hard to maneuver when parked. Stop thieves from smashing it open by keeping the lock away from the ground and keep the gap between bike and lock small.

5. Make sure that you lock both your wheels and the frame of the bike to the bike rack before leaving. If the bike rack does not allow for both wheels to be locked, you should lock the rear wheel since in most cases; the rear wheel is considerably stronger than the front wheel.

6. A tempered steel "U" (or "D") shaped lock should be used for more secure locking. With other types of cheaper locks, thieves can easily break open with simple standard tools such as a car jack. The locking mechanism should be on the center of the crossbar for the best securing position. The "U" lock should also be just big enough to lock the bike securely to a sturdy bike rack. If one opts for a more flexible lock type, one could obtain chain and cable locks. Nonetheless, remember that these are less secure than the "U" locks. When using chain locks, ensure that they are at least 3/8 inches thick to avoid easy cutting of the metal. A chain with a plastic top coat can also avoid scratching the bike.