Knowing how to properly lock your bike is just as important as having a quality bike lock. A good lock will not save your bike from theft if you do not secure it in a way that is inconvenient for thieves. Many people may not realize the lengths to which thieves will go to steal a bike and may underestimate their ingenuity. To keep your bike safe, avoid locking it to signposts, trees, fences, or other objects that are not secure.
Why Not Fences?
At first glance, a fence may seem like a perfectly secure choice for locking a bike. However, there are many ways to cut and break fence links to remove a bike. A person may lock his or her bike around chain link or wooden fencing, only to return to a cut fence and a missing bike. Even locking the bike around a fence post can be insecure. A thief may cut the chain links or wood along the post, then simply slip your bike over the top of the fence post.
There is no substitution for a secure bike rack when it comes to locking your bike. Bike racks are designed to be extremely difficult to cut through and are typically heavy and bolted to the ground. If you don't see a bike rack in the immediate vicinity, look around the area within a block or two for a rack.
If you still have trouble finding one, be sure to lock your bike to a sturdy object that cannot easily be cut. Iron rod fences can be a good second option, as can patio beams. Thinking like a thief and examining an object for weaknesses before you lock up your bike can help to minimize your risk of theft.
Contact Us
To learn more about locking your bike securely and the types of locks that are available, contact the bike lock specialists of A&Js' bike locks today at 708-460-2999.
