Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on July 4, 2014 at 10:00am

Are these from bikes that were stolen or people who leave locks for when they use that rack?  I frequently see locks on racks with no bike and am puzzled.  If the lock wasn't broken how could all the parts be removed from it..outside of a wheel being cut?  Enlighten me.

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 5, 2014 at 3:14pm

Yes, you are correct. It's 'their' parking spot. Welcome to Chicago "Dibs" ! After they have parked, shovel snow all over their bike. Then run away!

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Permalink Reply by Josh L. on July 5, 2014 at 3:48pm

strange...how much work is it  to carry a lock? What if you want to stop somewhere else but don't have your lock with you? Not only is it selfish but it's  just plain lazy.  

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 5, 2014 at 8:16pm

A lot of people who regularly use the same rack will leave a lock on the rack so they do not have to carry one with them to work, or only have to carry one with them and still be able to lock up with two locks.

Really, all you have to do if the lock is there and their bike is not is move the lock; is that really so difficult that you have to take a picture and complain about it on the internet?  Seriously, with the effort and energy it took to put up this post you could have moved like 25 locks... 

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on July 6, 2014 at 5:12am

Can you move them to the ground?

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Permalink Reply by joe on July 6, 2014 at 5:30am

ived used the cables on locks to lock up my seat befor. i usually just pull all them to one side and lock mine over the others. 

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 7, 2014 at 2:07am

It's a lock, not a used condom or tampon.  You can touch it and not get cooties or anything.

Push it out of the way if you need to and lock your bike to the public rack, as is your right.  The racks belong to everyone to use.  They aren't calling "dibs" on the rack, they just don't want to haul a second heavy lock with them everywhere they go.  If, by chance, they come and need their lock they can unlock it and use it on another free rack.  Lots of people ride to work every day and lock up at the same place.  Why should they have to carry their second lock everywhere they go if 99% of the time they are going to be locking up at one place, and carrying their bike inside at home? 

I have never understood all the angst people have about this issue.  It's a lock, they are made to be locked to a rack.  This is their intended purpose.  They are small and easy pushed out of the way.  Just be happy there isn't a bike locked to it left there for months without ever moving.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on July 7, 2014 at 3:25am

My thoughts as well. The reality of being a cyclist in the city is that you're going to have to share and be fine with sharing public amenities, which in turn means understanding the unspoken etiquette governing our direct and indirect exchanges. It's not "dibs," it's "leave a penny, take a penny."

James BlackHeron said:

It's a lock, not a used condom or tampon.  You can touch it and not get cooties or anything.

Push it out of the way if you need to and lock your bike to the public rack, as is your right.  The racks belong to everyone to use.  They aren't calling "dibs" on the rack, they just don't want to haul a second heavy lock with them everywhere they go.  If, by chance, they come and need their lock they can unlock it and use it on another free rack.  Lots of people ride to work every day and lock up at the same place.  Why should they have to carry their second lock everywhere they go if 99% of the time they are going to be locking up at one place, and carrying their bike inside at home? 

I have never understood all the angst people have about this issue.  It's a lock, they are made to be locked to a rack.  This is their intended purpose.  They are small and easy pushed out of the way.  Just be happy there isn't a bike locked to it left there for months without ever moving.

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