Beat bike theft

The best protection may be to make your bike look like a beater

By: Straight Goods' outdoors columnist Jack Christie

  There's no worse feeling than having your bike stolen. Whether you live in the city or the country, it happens all too frequently. I don't want to jinx myself but here's the truth. I made it through another summer without having my bike stolen. In fact, I haven't had to replace my bike in a decade. And I ride everywhere. Through some heavenly intervention, my bike has eluded the clutches of a thief. During the 1980s, I lost a succession of bikes. New ones or clunkers, the lock pickers got them all. Each time it was like the death of a family pet. It took months before I could bring myself to buy another.
  I'm motivated to stick with my old bike for several reasons. Sentiment, for one. Over the years, it's taken me many places with scarcely more than a flat tire to worry about. And I really like the way it handles. When I'm tired, it seems to assume control, as if to say, "You hang on and pump. Leave the rest to me."
  There's a strong bond between bike and owner that's unique. People get very attached to their bikes. Our bodies get familiar with each bike's geometry. They're as personal as a pair of shoes. Which is why it hurts so much when you lose one. So what can you do to protect yourself? A lock is obviously the first line of defence. Get the biggest, strongest U-lock you can find. These are commonly called Kryptonite locks. The catchy label is the name of an American company that first began to market these heavyweight deterrents. The bigger the lock, the more parts on your bike you can secure with it. Slide one end through the front wheel and the frame. Lock it to the thickest piece of metal you can find. Another thing to be wary of is if you have quick release levers on your wheels. This makes them easy targets for thieves. If you do most of your riding in town, replace the quick releases with sturdy bolts. These take much more time to remove. And time is of the essence to bike thieves.
  So is concealment. Which is why I avoid bike racks packed with other bikes. I favour more exposed locations. If a thief is going to pick my lock, I want someone to witness it. Not that most passers-by would give the thief a second look. In fact, it would help if more folks did. Just ask mountain bike rider Alison Sydor. Several years back, the three-time world champion had her new racing bike stolen. It was locked with a host of others in front of Vancouver's Mountain Equipment Co-op.
  If you own an expensive bike, you can do one of two things. Never, ever let it out of your sight. Or, grunge it up. Paint over the decals. Then engrave your name, drivers license, or social security number on the frame. And write down your bike's serial number. This is essential in case it does get stolen. The police and your insurance company will want to know.
  Finally, unless you sleep with your bike, lock it to something that's bolted down inside your house. Burglars love bikes almost as much as gold. Most cyclists feel the same.

Jack Christie is a outdoors author-broadcaster based in Vancouver. Contact him by e-mail through his Web site at www.jackchristie.com.

For more information on bike theft, visit www.kryptonitelock.com.

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