City Cycling - Security part 2 - Without Locks

If you haven’t read Nathan’s first part about security – check it out now. Here’s the second instalment.

Sometimes a cyclist just doesn’t have the luxury of a lock. Maybe the mechanism on your old lock has finally given up the ghost, or perhaps you just left it at home by mistake; whatever the case, if you turn up in town without a lock, your options are limited. You can either go home and get your locks, or you can find a way of parking without using locks.

Where / where not to park

Some very forward-thinking organisations provide ‘bike bins’, which are essentially little metal garages. These may occasionally be found at sports centres but are rare in any case. If you can find one, use one. If you have cycled in with a friend, find a location that will allow you to share locks – but make sure both bikes are secured to a fixed object and not just to each other.

But failing either of the above, the remaining option is to leave the bike unlocked somewhere in the city. This may not seem like a very sensible idea, and if your bike is worth more than about £50 then you’re right. However, with a little care, the likelihood of your bicycle being stolen can be reduced to almost zero.

Picking your spot well is essential. Simply fitting in with other bicycles in a row will simply mean that the bike thief will not need to go out of his way to find your bike. Similarly, leaving the bike unattended outside the door will not deter anyone. A good spot will be one that is out of the way (but not too much out of the way) and provides actual cover to physically hide your bike. If a bike thief can see your bike, the chances are s/he can see that it is unlocked.

Bushes and shrubs by leisure centres or other public buildings can prove useful, as can unfrequented corners of the rears of buildings – beware, however, as many of the latter are in use by the local wildlife. Check for signs of use such as cigarette butts, graffiti and the smell of urine.

Always ensure that if you are intending to leave your bike unlocked and unattended, you should not draw attention to yourself as you hide your bike. Do check quickly that there is nobody taking undue interest in your activities, but don’t spend five minutes loitering beside your intended parking spot looking about you suspiciously!

How long to leave it

The situation of locklessness is less than ideal, but it is a viable option. However, bear in mind how long you are intending to leave your bicycle. The longer it stays in public unlocked, the more likely it is to disappear. If you think you will need to leave it for more than a few hours, consider whether it’s worth popping home to fetch those locks – or even check out a local pound shop for a quick remedy.

Balancing cost and convenience

It would never be advised deliberately to run a bike without locks. This would be asking for trouble, unless you have an unlimited supply of free bikes. The low cost of cheap locks removes all excuse; even a couple of £1 locks from the pound shop will surely be worth it for avoiding the stress and inconvenience of a missing bicycle.

And may our bikes be forever safe.