Cycling in Sydney Australia

A kind warning

This happened on the day I bought my bike. I live in a studio apartment with an open car park where I initially left my bike locked to a pillar. After finishing my dinner I decided to mess with it, then I found a note stuck on the frame suggesting me not to leave the bike there, for the writer of the note has had his bike stolen twice there, even with the lock. I took the advice and now awkwardly carry my bike up and down the stairs between my room and outside.

I would have never knew that bicycles can still be vulnerable to theft even with locks.

1 member likes this

Comment by DamianM on October 17, 2011 at 10:48pm: It's good advice.

I helped a friend of mine buy a bike a few months ago. He told me he was going to lock it in the carpark of his apartment building.

I told him that was a bad idea, it's a common place for bikes to be stolen.

He decided taking the chance was easier than carrying his bike upstairs.

He doesn't have a bike anymore :(

Comment by Jason B on October 17, 2011 at 11:05pm: D-locks are much much safer than cable locks too. Cable locks generally cuttable with hand tools (regardles of how armored they claim to be.

Comment by herzog on October 18, 2011 at 7:48am: D locks are still vulnerable, they just use a different tool (mini car-jack).

Take it upstairs is the safest bet.

Comment by Jay on October 18, 2011 at 9:20am: I'm always amazed at how many people lock their bikes up out the front of their terraces, usually with flimsy little cable locks.

I have my 15 year old, run-down mountain bike locked up to a pillar in our complexes underground car park but would never do that with my regular commuter which I bring inside my apartment.

Comment by Will Wassell on October 18, 2011 at 5:03pm: I’ve lost 2 bikes from locked garages, the second with a d-lock fitted attached to the leg of a work bench. Locks are designed to keep honest folk and opportunists at bay. Determined sticky fingered folk will get your ride if they want it.

Comment by Will Wassell on October 18, 2011 at 5:06pm: Sad rant about the state of society aside, it was very nice of your rather unlucky neighbour to have left you the warning. Perhaps a potential ride buddy for you? (assuming they have replaced their bike!)

Comment by Tina Ng on October 18, 2011 at 5:39pm: Coincidentally there was a motorbike next to my bike when I left it there, and when I found the note, the motorbike was gone.

Would a bike lock even be enough for a lunch break outside some cafe?

Comment by AdamM on October 18, 2011 at 6:33pm: Tina, not all locks are created equal. It's worth investing in a good D lock for some piece of mind. And think about what you lock it to - watch for posts where a bike can be lifted over the top. A good rule of thumb is spend at least 10% of the cost of the bike on the lock...

The problem with locking your bike outside every night is its always in the same place, giving a would be thief plenty of opportunity to study your lock & how to break it. This is a much reduced problem for casual parking. Buy a good lock, learn how to use it and you should be fine. I managed to keep the same bike for 7 years of commuting in London so it's definitely possible in Sydney!

Comment by Bob Moore on October 18, 2011 at 6:34pm: I like cafes where you can park your bike in full view from your table, or even better have it parked right next to you if there is a handy space. If you are a regular you might suggest they get some bike racks off the local council or supply their own.

Comment by Colin on October 18, 2011 at 10:07pm: Buy a good quality D-lock, the smaller the better to make it harder for thieves to jam tools within it, and your bike should be reasonably safe for locking wherever and whenever...except for locking it in plain view in the same place every night - there's no lock good enough for that.

Something like this would work well: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kryptonite-evolution-mini-14cm-bike-d-lock/

A kind warning

You need to be a member of Sydney Cyclist to add comments!

Community Ads

Sponsors