Today's Winner of the Poorly Locked Bike Contest

This was a single cable lock - used on a bike in Lincoln Square - that I think a fingernail trimmer could have defeated. Why even bother locking your bike?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 26, 2013 at 5:32pm

2013 CSBR theft statistics through 9/26:

913 thefts reported (180 more and we'll tie last year's record total)

243 weren't locked (26.62%)

295 were locked with a cable lock (32.31%) This is shaping up to be a new record.

98 were locked with a Newer U-Lock with a flat key (10.73%)

Anybody else see a lesson here?

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on September 27, 2013 at 2:43am

Any of those have 2 locks on them?  My guess is zero to very few.



Kevin C said:

2013 CSBR theft statistics through 9/26:

913 thefts reported (180 more and we'll tie last year's record total)

243 weren't locked (26.62%)

295 were locked with a cable lock (32.31%) This is shaping up to be a new record.

98 were locked with a Newer U-Lock with a flat key (10.73%)

Anybody else see a lesson here?

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 27, 2013 at 4:25am

That statistically you're more likely to get your bike stolen if it's locked with a cable than not locked at all! 

Of course that doesn't take into consideration most unlocked bikes would be on private property like a garage or storage space but it's still interesting stat. 

Kevin C said:

2013 CSBR theft statistics through 9/26:

913 thefts reported (180 more and we'll tie last year's record total)

243 weren't locked (26.62%)

295 were locked with a cable lock (32.31%) This is shaping up to be a new record.

98 were locked with a Newer U-Lock with a flat key (10.73%)

Anybody else see a lesson here?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 27, 2013 at 4:35am

There have been a total of 2 (possibly 3) reports to the CSBR (since 2004) of a bike being stolen which was locked with two locks. That's point zero something percent.

in it to win it 8.0 mi said:

Any of those have 2 locks on them?  My guess is zero to very few.



Kevin C said:

2013 CSBR theft statistics through 9/26:

913 thefts reported (180 more and we'll tie last year's record total)

243 weren't locked (26.62%)

295 were locked with a cable lock (32.31%) This is shaping up to be a new record.

98 were locked with a Newer U-Lock with a flat key (10.73%)

Anybody else see a lesson here?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 27, 2013 at 4:43am

Not more likely, just more reports. A couple of factors are at work.

Someone who believes a cable lock is an adequate security measure is more likely to leave their bike out in plain sight. There are very few reports of bikes which are not locked being stolen from public places. Most of the unlocked thefts reported are from semi-private or perceived to be private places where the owner erroneously believes the bike is secure, like garages, back yards, porches and common areas of buildings such as vestibules, hallways and storage rooms.

Rich S said:

That statistically you're more likely to get your bike stolen if it's locked with a cable than not locked at all! 

Of course that doesn't take into consideration most unlocked bikes would be on private property like a garage or storage space but it's still interesting stat. 

Kevin C said:

2013 CSBR theft statistics through 9/26:

913 thefts reported (180 more and we'll tie last year's record total)

243 weren't locked (26.62%)

295 were locked with a cable lock (32.31%) This is shaping up to be a new record.

98 were locked with a Newer U-Lock with a flat key (10.73%)

Anybody else see a lesson here?

Permalink Reply by Russell on September 27, 2013 at 8:12am

Maybe the coiled cable will foil potential thieves. 

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on September 27, 2013 at 9:01am

I wouldn't bet on it!

Russell said:

Maybe the coiled cable will foil potential thieves. 

Permalink Reply by Anne on September 27, 2013 at 9:32am

From far away, this technique will totally fool the nearsighted thief

Permalink Reply by David P. on September 27, 2013 at 9:34am

Is that thing even wrapped around the frame at all?

Permalink Reply by Russell on September 27, 2013 at 9:45am

Clearly someone had a ton of things on their mind with that bike was "locked up."

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 27, 2013 at 9:50am

The real question here ... if this bike was stolen and then reported to the CSBR, would it be classified as unlocked or locked with an older u-lock with round key???  

There goes my assumption about most unlocked bikes likely being stolen from private property! 

Permalink Reply by Yolondra Yarborough on September 27, 2013 at 8:07pm

This was outside the Apple store on North and Halsted. 

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