Use a D-Lock and lock to something solid
Cable locks are terrible. Being honest, 99.9% of cable locks are flimsy and no good – they are easy to carry – and very cheap – which is a clue about how useful they are. A bolt cutter can make quick work of most cable locks and in a matter of seconds your bike will be gone.
Get a a sturdy D-Lock, or a chain at least 10mm thick. These are the only sensible choices for a lock, and the thicker and beefier, the better. Unfourtunately these kinds of locks are a bit pricey, ranging from $110-$300, depending on the brand and size. The Kryptonite ‘New York’ and ‘Evolution’ ranges are the gold standard.
You might also add a cable lock to your D-Lock to secure your front or back wheel.
Lock to something solid, lock through the frame, and lock a wheel too if you can.
Make sure you don’t lock to a street sign that can be lifted out of the ground (a lot can – give it a try!), and it is important to pass the lock through the frame of your bike, not a wheel or seat otherwise a theif can easily remove the week or seat and make off with 80% of your bike.
Watch out for chain link fences too – whatever you are locking too should be at least as thick as your lock.
Park smart
Park out front. If you need to park on the street, park somewhere you can easily check on it, and somehwere that is well-lit with high foot traffic.
Bring it inside. Any lock can be cut through, given the right circumstances. Ideally, avoid parking your bike on the street at all. Lots of businesses are happy to let you bring your bike in (or leave it around the side or out the back).
Location, Location, Location. Sometimes, bike racks and hoops are placed out of the way, underground, in the perfect locations to facilitate bike theft. Make sure to have a walk and look for other options.
Don’t forget your accessories
Bring your lights with you. It’s dangerous (not to mention illegal) to be cycling at night without lights on your bike. Bike lights are easy to steal and can be fairly expensive by themselves.
The smart move is to always take them off your bike when you’re not actively using them.
Protect your Head Protector. Your helmet is also precious – the foam that makes your bike helmet impact-absorbing doesn’t ‘spring back’, it just crushes like polystyrene. Given you don’t know what treatment your helmet will get when you’re not watching, just take it with you when you lock your bike.
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