Lock your bicycle

Kryptonite yesterday released its latest Top 10 Worst Cities for Bike Theft. They are

• New York, NY
  
• San Francisco, CA
  
• Chicago, IL
  
• Washington, DC
  
• Boston, MA
  
• Eugene, OR
  
• Philadelphia, PA
  
• Oakland, CA
  
• Seattle, WA
  
• Miami, FL

Even if you don't live in these high-bike-theft cities, you should lock your bike to at least prevent crimes of opportunity. Most bike-theft victims that I personally know have had bikes stolen from "safe" places -- from the bike rack on their truck, while they stepped into the corner store for just a second, and from the front porch of their own home. Don't be careless just because your neighborhood is safe.

I've used Kryptonite U-locks for about 20 years now and I've never had a bike stolen, even while the bike is locked up for several hours in high theft cities such as San Francisco, Denver, Boulder, Palo Alto, and Austin. In those places, I usually double-lock, using something like my Kryptonite Evolution Mini to secure the frame and rear tire, and a thick cable lock (currently a big heavy OnGuard cable) wrapped through the rear-triangle and both wheels. I realize that it also helps that my bikes are fairly low end. :-) Professionals in trucks with equipment are more likely to go after the boutique bikes -- they know what to look for, and my theory is that even uglifying a bike is not a deterrant to the pros.

I use the smallest U-lock available because you can't fit a jack inside the lock if there's no room. Two locks just makes it take that much longer to take the bike.

Tags: crime, lock, theft, bicycle