Bike Security/Parking

First off, Happy New Year to you all!

I recently started to commute to work on my bike, which imo is much better than using the train, i really look forward to my ride in/out of work

However, I'm a little concerned about security. At the moment i'm just putting the steering lock on and sticking an Oxford disc lock on, aswell as having a Datatool alarm, which is good but not really as secure as i'd like it to be.

When my bike is at home I bolt it to the grould using an Almax chain but it's a bit too heavy to carry around. Even if I was to bring a smaller chain in, theres no solid item to chain it to where my bike is parked, plus a smaller chain could be croppered quite easily.

I guess every deterrent is a good deterrent but if thieves want it that bad unfortunately they'll just pick it up and put it in a van won't they?

What do you people do for security when leaving bikes in a similar situation?

Thanks

First off, bare in mind that I live out in the sticks, and when I'm at work, it's parked in a VERY visible location with people walking past it constantly.

My view on the security issue is that anything you can do to stop the scumbags, or at least make their life harder, is well worth it IMO.

In your particular circumstance, I'd be sticking the Almax in a bag, and strapping it by bungee net to the pillion seat. Put the disc lock on the front, and the Almax through the rear wheel. A chain that stops the wheel turning is better than nothing.

Since you live in London, consider parking near other bikes if possible (and if you don't already). Some like minded soul might then even chain their bike to your chain (or you can do it to someone else). This way, if anyone needs to leave, they undo their own chain, and hey-presto, freedom. Harder to lift 2 bikes than it is one.

The alarm is only useful if you (or someone that actually gives a crap about your bike) hears it going off. I spent £30 on my alarm, and fitted it myself. Some 'wads still turned up in a van & tried to lift it into the back. Luckily I heard it because the office is so close to where I park, and went out to the bike before they got it. Parked in the middle of town, loads of people passing it, alarm going off, van parked next to it, 4 blokes about to lift it, and no-one battered an eyelid!

Having said all that, take the usual precautions, leave as little chain on the floor as possible, if it's on the floor it only makes their life easier.

Good luck with it & ride safe

Have a secure car park under the building at work so i don't have to leave it on the street, But would go with the suggestion of putting your chain through someone Else's, get to know the people who regularly park their bikes where you leave yours and its all about security in numbers.

Originally Posted by Baph

First off, bare in mind that I live out in the sticks, and when I'm at work, it's parked in a VERY visible location with people walking past it constantly.

My view on the security issue is that anything you can do to stop the scumbags, or at least make their life harder, is well worth it IMO.

In your particular circumstance, I'd be sticking the Almax in a bag, and strapping it by bungee net to the pillion seat. Put the disc lock on the front, and the Almax through the rear wheel. A chain that stops the wheel turning is better than nothing.

Since you live in London, consider parking near other bikes if possible (and if you don't already). Some like minded soul might then even chain their bike to your chain (or you can do it to someone else). This way, if anyone needs to leave, they undo their own chain, and hey-presto, freedom. Harder to lift 2 bikes than it is one.

The alarm is only useful if you (or someone that actually gives a crap about your bike) hears it going off. I spent £30 on my alarm, and fitted it myself. Some 'wads still turned up in a van & tried to lift it into the back. Luckily I heard it because the office is so close to where I park, and went out to the bike before they got it. Parked in the middle of town, loads of people passing it, alarm going off, van parked next to it, 4 blokes about to lift it, and no-one battered an eyelid!

Having said all that, take the usual precautions, leave as little chain on the floor as possible, if it's on the floor it only makes their life easier.

Good luck with it & ride safe

Thanks for your response, think I’ll dig the Almax bag out tonight and fit it to the back of my bike.

Good idea with the chaining one chain to another never thought of that before, i'll have a chat to the next person i see at the bay chaining there bike up, hopefully they'll be all for it.

I’ve been leaving the bike in a specific parking bay that gets quite busy and is opposite an office entrance with cctv, I doubt the reception staff would be that bothered if the alarm was going off but you never know eh!