Help us prevent our bikes from getting stolen
April 26, 2015 9:53 PM Subscribe
After having our bikes stolen from our apartment parking garage last year, my husband and I bought new bikes today. What strategies & locks should we use to make sure we keep these bikes for a long time?
We rent an apartment in a condo building in downtown Oakland (I'm hesitant to say that because Oakland gets a mostly undeserved bad rap). We keep our bikes in the bike racks in the parking garage - which is locked, but accessible to anyone who gets inside the condo building. We had been using a heavy cable lock to lock them together and to the rack.
After 3 years of no problems, our bikes were stolen (when we were on our honeymoon). It sounds like there were some other theft issues around that time because the condo building hired a security guard for awhile -- now long gone, I'm not sure whether that's because someone feels the issues have been resolved. We have a small apartment and no room for the bikes to stay in the living room permanently.
Having decided we couldn't let fear prevent us from biking, we just bought our new (nicer) bikes today! How can we keep them safe? Any recommendations for particularly good locks? I've heard that using both a U-lock and a cable lock is a good strategy because different tools are needed to break through each -- true? Weight is not an issue since the locks don't need to ride with us. Should we lock them together (but with twice the number of locks)?
We do have renter's insurance, but with a $1000 deductible (about 2/3 the cost of the bikes). Should we consider paying more for a lower deductible? Any other ideas?
We rent an apartment in a condo building in downtown Oakland (I'm hesitant to say that because Oakland gets a mostly undeserved bad rap). We keep our bikes in the bike racks in the parking garage - which is locked, but accessible to anyone who gets inside the condo building. We had been using a heavy cable lock to lock them together and to the rack.
After 3 years of no problems, our bikes were stolen (when we were on our honeymoon). It sounds like there were some other theft issues around that time because the condo building hired a security guard for awhile -- now long gone, I'm not sure whether that's because someone feels the issues have been resolved. We have a small apartment and no room for the bikes to stay in the living room permanently.
Having decided we couldn't let fear prevent us from biking, we just bought our new (nicer) bikes today! How can we keep them safe? Any recommendations for particularly good locks? I've heard that using both a U-lock and a cable lock is a good strategy because different tools are needed to break through each -- true? Weight is not an issue since the locks don't need to ride with us. Should we lock them together (but with twice the number of locks)?
We do have renter's insurance, but with a $1000 deductible (about 2/3 the cost of the bikes). Should we consider paying more for a lower deductible? Any other ideas?
Not theft prevention, but a potential recovery aid--there are a couple/few products that are like lojacks for bicycles.
I have no personal experience with these devices--perhaps others can provide more info.
posted by she's not there at 10:16 PM on April 26, 2015
I have no personal experience with these devices--perhaps others can provide more info.
posted by she's not there at 10:16 PM on April 26, 2015
I bring my bike into my apartment in Oakland, and anytime I leave it anywhere, I lock it with two U-locks. If I planned to leave it overnight anywhere, I would also get a set of locking skewers + seat lock.
posted by ktkt at 10:19 PM on April 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by ktkt at 10:19 PM on April 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
3rding the suggestion to bring them into your apartment. I live in Oakland/SF. My bike has locking skewers, I only use a U-lock (mini, not large) never a cable, and I would never leave it outside a building overnight, or in space that the public might be able to get to overnight. I know it's annoying to haul them up and down stairs but I really think it's your best bet.
posted by amaire at 10:36 PM on April 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by amaire at 10:36 PM on April 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm in the Bay Area. The bike shop guy where I got my bike tuned up and adjusted after I bought it recommended a cable + U-lock system. The cable doesn't have its own lock, just loops on either end (like
posted by en forme de poire at 10:47 PM on April 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
o----o). I wrap the cable around the back wheel, putting one of the loops through the other, then wrap the free end through the front wheel. I then lock both the free loop and the frame of the bike to whatever surface is handy using the U-lock. This way not only is the frame U-locked to the rack, but the wheels, frame, and U-lock are cabled together, which is great if your wheels are quick releases. It sounds a bit confusing written out but it's actually not difficult to do.posted by en forme de poire at 10:47 PM on April 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
My friend uses a big fat chain that he used to use for his motorbike. It's so thick that other people's piddly u-locks look like much easier targets but yeah, if you have a lift and can keep your bike in your apartment, that's your best bet.
My friend has a huge bathroom. His precious bike lives in there. Second favourite bike is chained up in the communal garage.
posted by stellathon at 10:50 PM on April 26, 2015
My friend has a huge bathroom. His precious bike lives in there. Second favourite bike is chained up in the communal garage.
posted by stellathon at 10:50 PM on April 26, 2015
Oakland is one of the major bike theft cities in the US (citation: pulling this stat out of thin air, but have lived in the area and biked for a while). If you leave a bike in one place, even if it's in your yard and not visible from the street, eventually it will be stolen.
Cable locks are not sufficient in the Bay Area. They can be cut with hand tools. You will need to either bring the bike inside or at the very least secure it with a serious u-lock to an immovable object. This won't stop a determined thief, but a cable lock is just not enough for a 5 minute lockup, let alone a week.
The more you can do to make the locked bike less interesting, the better. Take off the seat. Take off the front wheel. Lock it with hardware recommended by a local shop. And toss all of your cable locks.
But the best you can do is to bring your bikes inside.
posted by zippy at 10:52 PM on April 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cable locks are not sufficient in the Bay Area. They can be cut with hand tools. You will need to either bring the bike inside or at the very least secure it with a serious u-lock to an immovable object. This won't stop a determined thief, but a cable lock is just not enough for a 5 minute lockup, let alone a week.
The more you can do to make the locked bike less interesting, the better. Take off the seat. Take off the front wheel. Lock it with hardware recommended by a local shop. And toss all of your cable locks.
But the best you can do is to bring your bikes inside.
posted by zippy at 10:52 PM on April 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hey, the bike theft level isn't anything that reflects badly on the place. NYC an Seattle both have major bike theft.
That said, i have COMPLETELY given up on this. I never lock my bike up. Anywhere. Ever. Either it comes inside, or i don't ride it there. The only exception would be a big group ride to a pub or something where everyone locks their bikes together outside and several people are always smoking/keeping watch.
I also have one of these locks, but i've only used it a handful of times.
I've seen someone cut through one of those bolted-to-the-street city bike lockup frames with a bullshit knockoff sawzall literally so fast that no one could have even taken the elevator down and reacted. It doesn't matter how strong your lock is unless you're locking it to something they can't cut. I wouldn't put it past those kinds of guys to cut down a 3-8in tree to steal a bike.
I've heard that using both a U-lock and a cable lock is a good strategy because different tools are needed to break through each
I wouldn't listen to the no-cable-lock haters. The u lock+cable for the other wheel combo is what all my friends who messenger/deliver use if they're not just stopping for a second(in which case it's just ulock). I wouldn't leave it overnight with that setup though, more just to run in to the grocery store or the bar or something. Oh, and i'll second what was said above that a cable lock by itself is the equivalent of locking the doors on your convertible with the roof down.
It's a "the best camera is the one you have with you" sort of thing. Buy a lock you'll actually carry and use, not a clunker like i have. But at the same time, don't lock up overnight anywhere ever.
I've cut through a seriously freaking u lock with a $3 hack saw from daiso japan before, when i had infinite time and no other options. Given some amount of cover and no one being around, no lock is really a lock.
Does your building have an indoor storage room? Are wall mounts(vertical OR horizontal) or ceiling mounts an option?
The solution here really is not to leave your bike locked up somewhere that isn't fully indoors at night, or for more than an hour or two. It sucks, but thems the breaks. Nothing else is a silver bullet. Not even riding a junky looking bike or even a blatantly cheap bike helps. Tweakers will steal anything, even a $80 walmart bike. My friend had a rusty 70s ladies schwinn bike stolen out of another friends yard. It was probably worth $50, still got stolen in like 10 minutes.
posted by emptythought at 11:15 PM on April 26, 2015 [7 favorites]
That said, i have COMPLETELY given up on this. I never lock my bike up. Anywhere. Ever. Either it comes inside, or i don't ride it there. The only exception would be a big group ride to a pub or something where everyone locks their bikes together outside and several people are always smoking/keeping watch.
I also have one of these locks, but i've only used it a handful of times.
I've seen someone cut through one of those bolted-to-the-street city bike lockup frames with a bullshit knockoff sawzall literally so fast that no one could have even taken the elevator down and reacted. It doesn't matter how strong your lock is unless you're locking it to something they can't cut. I wouldn't put it past those kinds of guys to cut down a 3-8in tree to steal a bike.
I've heard that using both a U-lock and a cable lock is a good strategy because different tools are needed to break through each
I wouldn't listen to the no-cable-lock haters. The u lock+cable for the other wheel combo is what all my friends who messenger/deliver use if they're not just stopping for a second(in which case it's just ulock). I wouldn't leave it overnight with that setup though, more just to run in to the grocery store or the bar or something. Oh, and i'll second what was said above that a cable lock by itself is the equivalent of locking the doors on your convertible with the roof down.
It's a "the best camera is the one you have with you" sort of thing. Buy a lock you'll actually carry and use, not a clunker like i have. But at the same time, don't lock up overnight anywhere ever.
I've cut through a seriously freaking u lock with a $3 hack saw from daiso japan before, when i had infinite time and no other options. Given some amount of cover and no one being around, no lock is really a lock.
Does your building have an indoor storage room? Are wall mounts(vertical OR horizontal) or ceiling mounts an option?
The solution here really is not to leave your bike locked up somewhere that isn't fully indoors at night, or for more than an hour or two. It sucks, but thems the breaks. Nothing else is a silver bullet. Not even riding a junky looking bike or even a blatantly cheap bike helps. Tweakers will steal anything, even a $80 walmart bike. My friend had a rusty 70s ladies schwinn bike stolen out of another friends yard. It was probably worth $50, still got stolen in like 10 minutes.
posted by emptythought at 11:15 PM on April 26, 2015 [7 favorites]
It sounds like you want to keep your bikes in the garage. My recommendation is to bring them into
your apartment whenever you are traveling out of town.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:16 PM on April 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
your apartment whenever you are traveling out of town.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:16 PM on April 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
My bike has presently survived being parked outside on the streets of Budapest (it doesn't fit in my elevator) for a year. My wife and I chain ours together at a bike rack out in front of our flat. It is probably safer there than inside the courtyard of our building, since a lot of thefts happen in courtyards because less street witnesses.
This secret was taught me by Dutch friends: use different types of locking systems. Unless the thief is carrying a battery powered metal saw (and some do) they would have to carry very different and cumbersome tools to break this many locks. We lock the bikes to a rack using a heavy chain lock, two Kryptonite U locks through the wheels (with updated flat key locks so the old Bic pen trick doesn't work) one fat cable (for flexibility) and thin cable locks locking the bike seats to the bike frame (seats get nicked a lot.) I'm thinking of adding another motorcycle chain lock for the summer. when I bike out we lock the extra locks to a nearby fence and use the chain and one U lock.
Stay away from combination locks: they are super easy to break into. Check out Youtube for videos on bike locks breaking competitions run by biking clubs. And also: in the UK lock picking is also a competition sport and hobby, and it is scary to see how easy some locks are to get into. Good info to know.
posted by zaelic at 12:38 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
This secret was taught me by Dutch friends: use different types of locking systems. Unless the thief is carrying a battery powered metal saw (and some do) they would have to carry very different and cumbersome tools to break this many locks. We lock the bikes to a rack using a heavy chain lock, two Kryptonite U locks through the wheels (with updated flat key locks so the old Bic pen trick doesn't work) one fat cable (for flexibility) and thin cable locks locking the bike seats to the bike frame (seats get nicked a lot.) I'm thinking of adding another motorcycle chain lock for the summer. when I bike out we lock the extra locks to a nearby fence and use the chain and one U lock.
Stay away from combination locks: they are super easy to break into. Check out Youtube for videos on bike locks breaking competitions run by biking clubs. And also: in the UK lock picking is also a competition sport and hobby, and it is scary to see how easy some locks are to get into. Good info to know.
posted by zaelic at 12:38 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I also live in downtown Oakland and I bike everywhere. Only bike I've had stolen in 8 years of living here was in SF actually.
Your problem is that you are leaving your bike unattended, in the same spot every day, in a place that is not secure.
This is a very different gamble than locking a bike up around town. Stealing a bike on the street is more a crime of opportunity, so some of the strategies mentioned (using multiple types of locks, etc.) work really well. Chances are if someone wants to steal it, they won't have the tools on them to do it and it won't be there if they come back. But if anyone can see that your bike is pretty much always there in your garage, every single day, it doesn't matter what kind of lock you use. They'll just take note of the convenient cover your garage gives them, and come back with whatever tools they need. You can't buy a lock that will solve this problem.
Either your garage needs to be made more secure or you need to store them somewhere else. I would definitely invest in good u-locks and combine that with a secondary lock. This makes it harder for a thief, but it's not a guarantee. FWIW, I own four bikes currently and all four live in my apartment even though my landlord (also a serious cyclist) has offered a "secure" part of the building to lock them in.
posted by bradbane at 1:17 AM on April 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Your problem is that you are leaving your bike unattended, in the same spot every day, in a place that is not secure.
This is a very different gamble than locking a bike up around town. Stealing a bike on the street is more a crime of opportunity, so some of the strategies mentioned (using multiple types of locks, etc.) work really well. Chances are if someone wants to steal it, they won't have the tools on them to do it and it won't be there if they come back. But if anyone can see that your bike is pretty much always there in your garage, every single day, it doesn't matter what kind of lock you use. They'll just take note of the convenient cover your garage gives them, and come back with whatever tools they need. You can't buy a lock that will solve this problem.
Either your garage needs to be made more secure or you need to store them somewhere else. I would definitely invest in good u-locks and combine that with a secondary lock. This makes it harder for a thief, but it's not a guarantee. FWIW, I own four bikes currently and all four live in my apartment even though my landlord (also a serious cyclist) has offered a "secure" part of the building to lock them in.
posted by bradbane at 1:17 AM on April 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Would folding bikes have been a solution? As mentioned, there are wall and ceiling mounts.
Making your bikes look as unattractive and unsaleable as possible will deter people looking to sell them on. And locking them up will deter opportunists. But leaving them 'outside', in plain view, seemingly unused, is just not a good idea. Note also that whoever stole them now knows where there are bikes to be had.
posted by epo at 1:28 AM on April 27, 2015
Making your bikes look as unattractive and unsaleable as possible will deter people looking to sell them on. And locking them up will deter opportunists. But leaving them 'outside', in plain view, seemingly unused, is just not a good idea. Note also that whoever stole them now knows where there are bikes to be had.
posted by epo at 1:28 AM on April 27, 2015
I think a lot of people missed the fact that you live in a small place where you cannot park your bikes inside. I am not a bike rider, but I do know that even people who lock their bikes can end up having everything else not secured by the lock for parts. Yes, apparently bike parts are worth money.
I agree that a ceiling mount or wall mount is your best option for those times when you'll be leaving the bikes in the garage untouched for a while.
Does your building have a basement you can use, perhaps? You can ask the landlord. I agree that when going on vacation, you should absolutely bring the bikes inside while you're gone.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:20 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I agree that a ceiling mount or wall mount is your best option for those times when you'll be leaving the bikes in the garage untouched for a while.
Does your building have a basement you can use, perhaps? You can ask the landlord. I agree that when going on vacation, you should absolutely bring the bikes inside while you're gone.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:20 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also consider spray painting your bike crappy colours boor covering it in gaffer tape etc, making a bike look crappier and/or less sale-able is not a slam dunk, but in my experience out had helped.
posted by smoke at 3:50 AM on April 27, 2015
posted by smoke at 3:50 AM on April 27, 2015
On the insurance question, depending on the cost of each bike, you may want to look into a personal articles policy/rider. For our renter's insurance (NYC), any item over $700 can go on a personal articles rider, where its separately scheduled out, is covered for accidental damage, and has no deductible. I think it's about $20/$1K value per year for the policy.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:06 AM on April 27, 2015
posted by melissasaurus at 4:06 AM on April 27, 2015
I think this is a question of how much risk you are willing to tolerate. As long as you leave your bikes in the garage, there is some risk of theft, no matter how you lock them up. The most reasonable system will likely be a U-lock securing your frame and rear tire to the bike rack, with a strong cable passing through the U-lock and the front tire. Like this system. Can this be defeated? Yes. Are there more secure locks out there? Probably, but I think this system is reasonable enough for parking in an area that has had one theft in three years and when the bike costs $750. (I am assuming that $1500 is the cost of both bikes. If it is $1500 per bike, I still think the U lock system is good enough. But if your tolerance is different, you could get a more expensive U-Lock, such as an Abus U lock, or some other more expensive locking system. I don't have experience with these other locks, so I can't really recommend one. I just know they're out there.)
As for insurance, you'd probably be better off getting a rider to your renters insurance that covers the full price of the bikes than getting a lower deductible. I'd find out how much that would cost, and then balance that against the likelihood of your bikes being stolen again, whether you could easily afford to replace them on your own, and whether you just want the piece of mind of knowing that if someone steals your bikes you are covered. If the cost of the rider seems reasonable when compared against those three things, get the rider.
posted by crLLC at 7:04 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
As for insurance, you'd probably be better off getting a rider to your renters insurance that covers the full price of the bikes than getting a lower deductible. I'd find out how much that would cost, and then balance that against the likelihood of your bikes being stolen again, whether you could easily afford to replace them on your own, and whether you just want the piece of mind of knowing that if someone steals your bikes you are covered. If the cost of the rider seems reasonable when compared against those three things, get the rider.
posted by crLLC at 7:04 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I live in Oakland and bike too. Cable is basically useless. I own a couple and occassionally use them when I am too irritated to carry two U locks, but mostly I use two U locks.
I U-lock to the rack through the back wheel, within the rear triangle. Then I lock the front wheel to the frame and rack (first choice) or if that's impossible, just to the frame.
This link is helpful.
posted by latkes at 7:40 AM on April 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
I U-lock to the rack through the back wheel, within the rear triangle. Then I lock the front wheel to the frame and rack (first choice) or if that's impossible, just to the frame.
This link is helpful.
posted by latkes at 7:40 AM on April 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Oh, and if you have a nice saddle, lock it too. A local bike shop can put a cable on it or make a chain and inner tube "lock" that will at least act as a deterrent.
posted by latkes at 7:44 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by latkes at 7:44 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I would talk to your building management about options. If theft is a general issue around the building, maybe they'd be willing to put in a locking bike cage, or designate an indoor room for bikes with keys only for those with bikes (our building has one of these because they don't want people taking bikes up and down the stairs/elevators to the units, and know they would do so otherwise). Either of these would probably be cheaper than a security guard, and would probably be a selling point for the building since biking is so big in the Bay Area.
posted by rainbowbrite at 8:01 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rainbowbrite at 8:01 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
U-locks come with insurance if you are able to jump through their million hoops successfully.
Your bikes will eventually get stolen again. It helps to think of this as part of their lifespan. Like how a computer *should* last forever but it's really a question of "how long can I keep this computer alive?" It may be a few months or 20 years, but your bikes will disappear eventually.
Avoid theft as long as possible by following the tips mentioned above, and enjoy your new bikes!
posted by aniola at 10:06 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Your bikes will eventually get stolen again. It helps to think of this as part of their lifespan. Like how a computer *should* last forever but it's really a question of "how long can I keep this computer alive?" It may be a few months or 20 years, but your bikes will disappear eventually.
Avoid theft as long as possible by following the tips mentioned above, and enjoy your new bikes!
posted by aniola at 10:06 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cable locks are indeed slightly useful, but only in conjunction with a U lock. You use the cable lock to lock the front wheel and the seat to the U lock which, properly used, is locking the frame and rear wheel to an immovable object.
Also, make sure whatever U lock you get is properly sized. That is to say barely large enough to fit around your frame and whatever it is you are locking it to. Extra room makes it easier to get tools in place to break the lock.
posted by wierdo at 7:13 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, make sure whatever U lock you get is properly sized. That is to say barely large enough to fit around your frame and whatever it is you are locking it to. Extra room makes it easier to get tools in place to break the lock.
posted by wierdo at 7:13 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I bought a new used Schwinn. The next morning I rode it to the Gold line station in South Pasadena, locked it with a cable and rode the train to work. When I arrived back at the station that afternoon the bike was gone. After that I took the bike on the train every day and into the building at work. Inside the building was also where it spent nights at home.
I understand you don't have the space to take them inside. Two suggestions; google "how can I keep my bike from getting stolen" and register and code your bike. There is a national bike registry that records your serial numbers. Additionally save all receipts, photograph the bikes serial numbers and keep that stuff handy for police and insurance. Police agencies recover a lot of stolen bikes that no one claims. Lastly as the kicker in coding visit gizmag.com and search for the new gps tracking device that is inserted in your front stem if I recall correctly. That way if your cable and Ulock are hacked you can track it down and get it back.
posted by Jim_Jam at 9:02 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I understand you don't have the space to take them inside. Two suggestions; google "how can I keep my bike from getting stolen" and register and code your bike. There is a national bike registry that records your serial numbers. Additionally save all receipts, photograph the bikes serial numbers and keep that stuff handy for police and insurance. Police agencies recover a lot of stolen bikes that no one claims. Lastly as the kicker in coding visit gizmag.com and search for the new gps tracking device that is inserted in your front stem if I recall correctly. That way if your cable and Ulock are hacked you can track it down and get it back.
posted by Jim_Jam at 9:02 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
How much would it cost to lower your renter's insurance deductible? In my experience, that's cheaper than getting a separate rider.
I ride an inexpensive and rusty bike to make it less appealing. I had a baby seat on it for a while and didn't even bother locking it then; no one touched it.
Can you request improved security for the bike racks?
If you don't ride your bikes more than once a week, storing them inside with a ceiling mount might not take up too much of your room or be too much more of a hassle than multiple locks. (It would never work for me because I often ride daily and my bike is permanently filthy, but I know people in small apartments who do.)
posted by metasarah at 9:53 AM on May 4, 2015
I ride an inexpensive and rusty bike to make it less appealing. I had a baby seat on it for a while and didn't even bother locking it then; no one touched it.
Can you request improved security for the bike racks?
If you don't ride your bikes more than once a week, storing them inside with a ceiling mount might not take up too much of your room or be too much more of a hassle than multiple locks. (It would never work for me because I often ride daily and my bike is permanently filthy, but I know people in small apartments who do.)
posted by metasarah at 9:53 AM on May 4, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by pando11 at 10:04 PM on April 26, 2015 [5 favorites]