Safe place to lock bike by union station

I have to visit my parents this evening where is the safest place to lock a bike up around Union Station?

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on December 4, 2009 at 4:07am
there is a nice rack on the SW corner of Washington and Clinton (by the Bank of America HQ loading dock).
It is set back from the street and there is a security camera. I would feel as safe there as anything as
it is about 30' or so set back from the street. email me for more specfic location, etc.

DB
Permalink Reply by ishnock aka the blue baron on December 4, 2009 at 4:40am
Also, Im referring to day time and evening lock ups....not overnight.

Never leave your bike locked up overnight outside.....never.
Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on December 4, 2009 at 4:53am
Permalink Reply by ad on December 4, 2009 at 4:59am
My wife had a bike (brand new Jamis Coda) stolen from a city rack in front of Union Station on the corner of Jackson and Canal a little less than a year ago. She was using a kryptonite evolution mini to secure the frame to the rack and a strong kryptonite cable for the wheels. Not sure how the lock was defeated because the thief took it with, but we assume the person used an angle grinder. It was spring, so the theft occurred in broad daylight with probably hundreds of people walking by while it happened.

The Chicago stolen bike registry is filled with similar stories of bikes getting jacked from the Union Station area. Simply put, there is no real safe place to lock up around there. It is one of the worst spots for theft in the city. If you absolutely need to do it for any length of time and you have a nice bike, I would definitely suggest multiple ulocks. Even then you are rolling the dice.

On the plus side, our renter's insurance (allstate) covered the bike. We had to pay our $250 deductable and received a check for the value of the bike. If you lock outside and have a bike worth a decent amount, I highly suggest getting renter's insurance or making sure your current policy covers a bike theft outside the apartment/house.
Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on December 4, 2009 at 6:14am
The City's bike map shows the location of bike racks installed inside CTA stations,
which would keep your bike out of the elements and probably a bit more secure.
The Clinton Green/Pink station and Jackson Blue station are both about a 10-minute
walk from Union Station. The Clinton rack is in the "paid" area, so if you shell out $2.25
to get through the turnstyle, you'll get extra security because only customers can access
your bike. The Jackson rack is in the unpaid area so it's free.

John Greenfield
Permalink Reply by ishnock aka the blue baron on December 4, 2009 at 12:39pm
No postulation here.

If you were given two places to lock up your bike- those 2 places being Michigan ave or in an alley in the loop,which one would you select?

i'll take being out in the open all day long....




H3N3 said:
However, with a bike being locked up in a busy section, the greater chances you have with someone witnessing your bike being stolen or tampered with,or possibly scaring the bike thief off......
Well, that's what I would have said before starting the registry and sifting through 1000+ reports, and that assumption is specifically why the registy polls for descriptive location information (in front of open business, closed business, etc.)
Surprisingly, actual real-world evidence has not borne out the validity of the above assertion as anything more than an unsupported personal opinion.
Permalink Reply by Adam on December 4, 2009 at 7:39am
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?

Thanks for you input everyone I think you've helped me decide on a gift to ask for the holidays... a second U lock!

my commuter is not to flashy it's a black redline 925 (great bike btw) but seems like any bike is a target...
Permalink Reply by Eric R on December 4, 2009 at 3:01pm
Two u-locks is always a good idea. I leave my bike, mostly not flashy, locked up outside almost every night with two Kryptonite Evolution locks, a mini and a series 4. My next purchase will be one of these.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?

Thanks for you input everyone I think you've helped me decide on a gift to ask for the holidays... a second U lock!

my commuter is not to flashy it's a black redline 925 (great bike btw) but seems like any bike is a target...
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on December 4, 2009 at 3:52pm
Given, this thread has wandered OT from Union Station... If I was to park on Michigan Ave. to go to Union, I would expect the OP to choose a taxi or public transit instead. BUT

Why bother with Michigan Ave. at all when you have the only well-functioning bike lock building accessible at Millennium Park?
Permalink Reply by jen on December 4, 2009 at 5:01pm
I have a new york forgettaboutit lock. Its awesome. the only downside is the weight its very heavy!

Eric Roach said:
Two u-locks is always a good idea. I leave my bike, mostly not flashy, locked up outside almost every night with two Kryptonite Evolution locks, a mini and a series 4. My next purchase will be one of these.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?

Thanks for you input everyone I think you've helped me decide on a gift to ask for the holidays... a second U lock!

my commuter is not to flashy it's a black redline 925 (great bike btw) but seems like any bike is a target...
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 5, 2009 at 3:53am
It would be great to have a West Loop bike station for exactly this reason. Between people who keep bikes at Union and Ogilvie stations and those who work nearby, I'd expect there to be a large number of potential members.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?...
Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 5, 2009 at 4:55am
At the ATA member meeting Rob Sadowsky(?) mentioned that they are working with the city on a second bike parking facility like the Millenium bike parking. Does anyone know where this would be located? As Anne said West Loop near both stations would be ideal.

Anne Alt said:
It would be great to have a West Loop bike station for exactly this reason. Between people who keep bikes at Union and Ogilvie stations and those who work nearby, I'd expect there to be a large number of potential members.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?...

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