How to Use a Cable Bike Lock

Learn how to use a cable lock properly to avoid losing your bike to thieves.

Bicycle cable locks use a reinforced steel cable, housed in either hard rubber or kevlar sheathes to wrap around the bike frame and a secure post. A bicycle cable lock is the most susceptible to thieves; if it is placed improperly it can be cut or broken easier than hard shell locks. Because of this, it is imperative the lock be set properly and safely.

Instructions

1. Place the bicycle next to a secure object such as a dedicated bike rack or grate. Do not lock the bicycle to street signs posted as no-lock areas.

2. Remove the front wheel of the bicycle and set it next to the bike frame, between the bike and post.

3. Thread the cable through the rear tire, the main section of the bicycle frame, and the front tire next to the bike.

4. Wrap the cable around the objects as tightly as possible and pull the slack out and around the rack or grate. Slide the lock through the two cable loop-ends.

5. Take all of the slack out of the cable by pulling it tight against the bicycle and rack and making extra wraps if needed. Lock the cable lock. Keep slack out of the cable to prevent thieves from getting a bolt cutting tool on the cable in the slack areas. By keeping the cable lock tight into the bicycle frame, it makes it harder to cut the cable.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not lock the bicycle to wooden posts or aluminum posts with no signs on the top as the thieves can simply slide the lock and bicycle up and over the end, or cut the wooden post.

References

• National Bike Registry: Directions for Proper Bicycle Locking
• Sheldon Brown: Lock Strategy