Bad bike locking!
I was wondering if anyone here in Chicago has done a research or study on bad bike locking and recorded it on video.
There is this guy in SF that did it, walked around to all kinds of bikes and how they were locked and graded their locking skills.
I think if there is or one is done... a video of this made available to cyclers across chicagoland, would help decrease bike thievery just by our own doing.
Anyone have any knowledge of this?
Views: 923
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on
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Now that we may be back on track, it would be cool to see some local, recent "bad bike locking" pix...
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Permalink Reply by Eric on
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Wow, I just wanted to see if we could educate the misinformed of chicago's society....not attack people because they might take up an extra space at the bike rack...
That should be a different topic. Please continue your arguments over "bad bike parking" to another thread.
:)
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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on
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Yes, I know that the stickers are on inverted single U-racks. The Multi-Us are older and there's no good way to lock to them besides taking up several spaces. There's nothing selfish about it unless locking space is clearly scarce for others.
It seems that you assume that if someone disagrees with you that they must have some basic lack of understanding e.g. in this case the type of rack being discussed.
A bike locked in only one place can be lifted and twisted like a giant wind-up key, popping a "typical" U-lock open, which is my guess at the method used in the linked theft report.
I specifically referred to "tool-less" theft-- I'd have been happy to clarify what was meant by that if you would have asked.
JeffB said:First, the stickers you describe are on the inverted-u racks. Those are meant to hold two bikes, so parallel parking on either side is ok (although a third bike can straddle the top of the rack if the bikes are perpendicular). I was talking about the wave-type racks that are meant for multiple bikes parked perpendicularly (see http://www.bicycleparkingracks.com/items.asp?itemcode=I342-1053&...).
Next, the report you cite says the u-lock was pried apart and left behind, so what's to stop a thief from doing that to the second u-lock? Any lock is merely a delay mechanism.
And last, it certainly is her fault. She says up front she knows its "improper", but she does it anyway.
H3N3 said:I'm sorry, Jeff, but you're wrong.
There are actually stickers on Chicago bike racks instructing users to lock exactly as Melanie does.
I consider it necessary-- having only one locking point opens you up to tool-less theft such as this one:
http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/191084
Not her fault that bike racks were previously purchased and deployed by the city that weren't up to local thieving practices.
JeffB said:I guess I misspoke. A moron does it out of ignorance or thoughtlessness. You know its wrong and yet you do it anyway. So what does that make you...?
Melanie said:Sadly, sometimes I am the moron who locks my bike up parallel so that I can lock my front wheel & frame with one u-lock and back wheel and frame with my 2nd U-lock, to the rack. I know it is rude, but I usually only do that when there are other racks nearby that are empty. I admit it isn't the nicest thing to do, but I fear bike theft, and my bike is pretty secure that way. Of course, I am aware that it is improper.
JeffB said:At first I thought this thread was about the incorrect use of bike racks, like the wave-type racks that are meant to hold 6 or more bikes when parked perpendicularly, but then some moron parks his parallel to the rack, thus taking up 4 spaces.
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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on
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Giving away bike thief trade secrets again Howard? Next you'll be bringing up the potato peeler gambit.
Where did I put my Bike Keys?
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Permalink Reply by JeffB on
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So if you understood that I was specifically talking about wave-type racks, why bring up the stickers on the racks I wasn't talking about? And why use those stickers as a justification for parallel parking at wave-type racks? Its ok because a sticker said so?
And how do you know how scarce locking space will become between the time you lock up and the time you leave? If you parallel park at any of the (brand-new) Millennium Park wave racks in the afternoon, there's probably lots of open rack space. But wait a few hours until a concert at 6:30, and rack space fills up pretty quick. So yes, it is selfish to take up four spaces when you can use one. And if you're that concerned with theft, I doubt you have a "typical" u-lock that can be defeated the way you describe (and wouldn't the wheel be destroyed before the lock is? and you specify tool-less, but I don't know how you can know that based on the report; in fact it specifically says "probably... came back with tools").
H3N3 said:
Yes, I know that the stickers are on inverted single U-racks. The Multi-Us are older and there's no good way to lock to them besides taking up several spaces. There's nothing selfish about it unless locking space is clearly scarce for others.
It seems that you assume that if someone disagrees with you that they must have some basic lack of understanding e.g. in this case the type of rack being discussed.
A bike locked in only one place can be lifted and twisted like a giant wind-up key, popping a "typical" U-lock open, which is my guess at the method used in the linked theft report.
I specifically referred to "tool-less" theft-- I'd have been happy to clarify what was meant by that if you would have asked.
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For you, Jeff:
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Eric, I started a thread here about two years ago (maybe less) which I thought could become one of those ongoing threads like Bike Porn, with the intent of people to post images of unwise/unfortunate locking choices as they see them, also with the hope that it would result in a more educated bike locking populace; Unfortunately it went very much the same way as this thread, with some asshat with reading comprehension difficulties going off about having a thread to ridicule people who don't lock like the condescending snobs on chainlink etc.
As to your initial proposal-- is this something you might be willing to help organize? There are already plenty of resources available to educate cyclists, but they have about the same attraction as web resources telling people to lose weight or quit drinking . . . an entertaining video has at least some potential to pique interest on a more widespread basis.
Eric said:Wow, I just wanted to see if we could educate the misinformed of chicago's society....not attack people because they might take up an extra space at the bike rack...
That should be a different topic. Please continue your arguments over "bad bike parking" to another thread.
:)
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I feel the need to defend myself one last time and then I'm done. I started with a post about the bike lock report cards used at Pitchfork and a side comment expressing an opinion about parking methods at a specific type of rack. The one thing I regret in this whole thing was using a derogatory term to describe anyone using that method; so I apologize for saying that specifically. That was unnecessary and is what seemed to set off the escalating responses I've received. What I tried to do after that was respond directly (keeping my emotions in check) to points raised in opposition. What I didn't do was start assigning opinions to other people, like both you and Melanie have done to me, or calling anyone an asshat or a snob (or inserting off topic video clips, however funny they may be). I have an opinion and I expressed it and defended it, both rights you and Melanie have asserted for yourselves; please allow me the same. If you're unwilling to respond directly to the points and questions I raise, then there's really no point in going any further.
FYI, I also apologize for my part in derailing this thread. I'm out.
(and it probably goes without saying, but I won't be attending your Justin Townes Earle picnic, but if I see your bike unnecessarily taking up extra spaces, I (and a lot of other cyclists) are going to be upset :) )
H3N3 said:Eric, I started a thread here about two years ago (maybe less) which I thought could become one of those ongoing threads like Bike Porn, with the intent of people to post images of unwise/unfortunate locking choices as they see them, also with the hope that it would result in a more educated bike locking populace; Unfortunately it went very much the same way as this thread, with some asshat with reading comprehension difficulties going off about having a thread to ridicule people who don't lock like the condescending snobs on chainlink etc.
As to your initial proposal-- is this something you might be willing to help organize? There are already plenty of resources available to educate cyclists, but they have about the same attraction as web resources telling people to lose weight or quit drinking . . . an entertaining video has at least some potential to pique interest on a more widespread basis.
Eric said:Wow, I just wanted to see if we could educate the misinformed of chicago's society....not attack people because they might take up an extra space at the bike rack...
That should be a different topic. Please continue your arguments over "bad bike parking" to another thread.
:)
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Wow.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on
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True but you may be forgetting about scrappers who WILL steal a bike that's crappy because the weight will pay for the trouble.
Sol said:
I think that bike in the photo is relatively secure....who would steal a Murray brand bicycle, much less a heavy mountain bike in that color?
I would be curious to know the number of times Murray and Huffy bikes are stolen compared to non department store brand bikes and also the ratio of stolen mountain or hybrid bikes to stolen road bikes.
It is a shame that it comes to this, but ride what no one wants and your risk is much lower. I still use an old style (round key) u lock on my old three speed and no one has so much as thought about taking it. Only true cycling afficianados would appreciate that bike and they are not the ones who would steal it. It is twenty years old with squeeky brakes and a dented fender. On my hybrid bike parked in Lincoln park in broad daylight, they stole my $5 plastic fenders which were bolted on and left the quick release bike light with rechargable batteries which cost more than the fenders. Go figure!
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It should also say.
Don't leave your bike here over night.
This is Union Station Dumbass NOT Naperville.
No that guy who asked you for spare change won't REALLY watch your bike for you.
Gabe said:The sticker will say: You're an idiot this is a public area! Lock your bike jackass! (38% of the time) :-)
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Permalink Reply by steve rulz on
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The sticker should say HUFFY and be large enough to cover a Cervelo logo. That way it doesn't matter how poorly the bike is locked.
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