The best bike Lock and how to use it properly

[kap]

Is the method described here, http://www.missinglink.org/Pages/bike_locking.html, still applicable?
TiA

[Black Landlord]

I administer this site:
http://stolen.bikechicago.info
Got a pretty good grasp. Thievery trends can vary geographically though.

Regarding locking methods, the diagrams shown are spot on. My recommendation is 2 U-locks, at least one being of a newer, higherquality hardened steel variety.

What's missing is a little more specific info on what type of lock to use. Presently, everything out there below the Kryptonite series 2, Evolution, and New York series of U-locks is to be avoided.
See:
http://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/L...x?cid=1001&scid=1000

It seems that over 60% of all bicycles stolen in Berkeley are unlocked at the time of theft. Of the remaining 40%, only 2% were stolen while using a U-lock. (OK now - this statistic is true)

This jibes with the data I've collected. Most are stolen from garages or storage spaces that are not secure, many are just left unattended momentarily. Most of the locked bikes which get stolen (at least 80%) are locked with some type of cable lock. Lots of "sucker pole" thefts lately, where a thief removes the bolt from the base of a sign and checks back periodically to see if they caught one.
A year ago thefts of bikes locked with U-locks were less than one percent, but as bike become hotter than crack thieves are making strides and U-lock thefts come in weekly. Wish I had better data on which U-lock models are being cracked, but I think thieves have figured out that you can wack an older or cheaper U-lock with a hammer a few times and pop it open.
I don't believe there have everbeen a significant numberof thefts due to the bic pen trick.

[M>B>]

Then there is freezing locks off...

Search "freezing locks off" or similar!

Just Google "stealing bikes" or any related topic and get criminal lessons!

[ajakeski]

I thought those were the locks that could be picked with and empty ball point pen.

[Black Landlord]

ajakeski wrote:
I thought those were the locks that could be picked with and empty ball point pen.

A looong time ago. That's addressed in the article Kap linked to.

[Black Landlord]

M>B> wrote:
Then there is freezing locks off...

Search "freezing locks off" or similar!

Just Google "stealing bikes" or any related topic and get criminal lessons!

Nobody's doing that. As I explained, it's not even necessary with most U-locks.

[mattkime]

there really isn't a lock out there that a well prepared thief can't break in less than 10 mins. the idea is to lock up properly so you're not worth the trouble over all the other people out there that don't bother.

A couple of great videos about locking bikes (they're humorous too)-

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/hal-...e-locking/

http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/28/st...s-part-ii/

[Black Landlord]

mattkime wrote:
there really isn't a lock out there that a well prepared thief can't break in less than 10 mins. the idea is to lock up properly so you're not worth the trouble over all the other people out there that don't bother.

Agree 100%.
Two things about the linked site I forgot to note:
1) Counterintuitive, but reviewing ~600 reports has shown that locking up in a place with lots of people around and eyes on the bike does not seem to afford more protection-- many many thefts happen in broad daylight, in places where there's no way the theft could not have been observed by someone (these are almost always cable lock thefts-- for the few that aren't, there's no way to eliminate user error).
2) The author notes that locking through the rear triangle without including the frame is to be avoided because a thief could saw through the entire back wheel and tire. This is another "nobody's doing that"-- I consider locking through the triangle as secure as locking to the frame (but often a bit handier).

[cbelt3]

attach a dog to guard the bike ?

[Seacrest]

ride a crappy looking bike.
works for me.