- Locking your bike properly starts with finding the right location. While it might seem like a good idea to hide your bike behind a trash bin in a dark alley, remember that concealing your bike will also conceal the criminal, giving him more time and opportunity to work on getting the lock off. Instead, lock your bike in a well-lit, heavy-traffic area, near other bikes where there will be plenty of people around to deter a potential crime. While these people might walk by and think, "Wow, what an amazing piece of bicycle machinery. Wish I had one," it'll end right there because they know they'd get caught trying to lift it. When possible, pick a location that allows you to easily check on your bike through a window or door.
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While you're looking for a good general location, also look for a strong, immobile object to lock the bike to. This is one time where it pays to be a former criminal, or at least be capable of thinking like one. Many objects that appear to be quite convenient and sturdy could be quite easy for a criminal to work around.
For instance, a chain-link fence offers an easy, versatile place to lock your bike; however, it's pretty easy to snip a couple of links in a fence and pull the bike out lock and all. You may have spent top dollar on a strong, impenetrable lock, but it's only as good as what it's being locked onto. Therefore, find a good, strong object that is bolted down and would be as difficult to compromise as the lock itself.
Consider whether a criminal would be able to quickly cut, saw, dig up or otherwise compromise the integrity of the object, or whether he could pull the lock up over the top of it. Some good places to lock your bike include locked-down bike racks and thick, metal poles secured in concrete. - Wrap your lock around the bike. Be sure that it is secured directly to the frame so that a thief can't just take a bike component off to remove the lock. When possible, run the lock through one or both of the wheels, through the frame and around your object. Situate the lock in such a way that a criminal can't get a lot of leverage. For instance, when using a cable or chain lock, wrap it tightly so there's not a lot of excess chain hanging down. For a U-bolt, angle the lock in such a way that a thief can't simply pry or smash the lock without damaging the bike.
- While you can't lock every single piece of your bike, you should be sure that the main parts that would be easy and profitable to remove are locked down. This means locking both wheels, ideally to the object but at least to the bike frame, which in turn is locked to the object. You can always remove the front wheel and run the lock through both wheels, around the frame and around the object. Also, remove your bike seat if you're worried about it getting stolen.
- Lock the lock. This is an obvious step, but double check to make sure that it is fully locked or all the other steps may be for naught. When using a combination lock, be sure to switch the digits to a random selection. Pull on the lock to make sure it's engaged.
