How to Avoid Bicycle Theft

Nothing can ruin your day faster than finding that thieves have made off with your loyal two-wheeled friend. Here are some steps you can take to keep that from happening.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• All-purpose Bike Tools
• Bike U-locks
• Bike Locks And Cables

1. Whenever possible, lock your bike to a permanent fixture in a secure room. If you must leave it outdoors, park it in an open, well-lit area, ideally near bikes that look more expensive than your own.
2. Using a steel U-shaped lock and cable, lock your bike to a fixed object, such as a bike rack or street sign, and wind a cable through both tires. Make sure that the bike cannot be lifted over the object, such as over a parking meter.
3. Leave as little space as possible within the "U" of the lock to make it harder for thieves to pry it open.
4. Keep the lock off the ground to avoid giving the thief leverage to hammer or smash it.
5. Position the keyhole of the lock so that it faces the ground. This will inhibit the thief's ability to manipulate the lock.
6. Remove the front wheel and lock both the wheel and the frame together with the U-lock if it's a quick-release wheel.
7. Take your bike seat with you if it's easily removable and/or expensive.

Tips & Warnings

• Register your bike through the local police department or through the National Bike Registry and engrave your driver's license number and state's initials on the bicycle frame as identification for police.
• Consider buying an old, cheap bike if you live in an area where bike theft is common.
• Consider popping off the bike chain to slow down or confuse potential bike thieves.
• Wooden bannisters and chain-linked fences, as well as lightweight or cable locks, can be broken or cut and thus are not reliable for locking bikes.
• Common targets for bike thefts during the day include school yards and playgrounds; lawns, porches and unlocked garages are popular targets at night.