Parking a bike outside in alleyway

[Jay Alexander]

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Hi all
Getting my first bike since 2010, and live in a very urban area with only an alleyway. I'm not sure the best security measures to take. I have a big metal staircase leading up to my apartment, and was considering using a disc lock, plus a long cable lock to wrap around the stair frame. Was also considering a cover with an audible alarm system attached to sound off if it's disturbed.

I have no idea what to do. Please help advise on how to best protect my precious baby!

If anyone has specific recommendations on products, I'd love your advice!

 

[timtune]

Safety in numbers? I would think two locks is better than one.

 

[GreyGhost]

Hi all
Getting my first bike since 2010, and live in a very urban area with only an alleyway. I'm not sure the best security measures to take. I have a big metal staircase leading up to my apartment, and was considering using a disc lock, plus a long cable lock to wrap around the stair frame. Was also considering a cover with an audible alarm system attached to sound off if it's disturbed.

I have no idea what to do. Please help advise on how to best protect my precious baby!

Make sure you have theft insurance.

Big, heavy visible locks are better than smaller locks. Thieves often don't see a disc lock so you will still have your bike but it will be dumped on the ground with a bent disc as they rolled it about 3/4 of a wheel and then it stopped. The long thin cable is useless and easily cut (and will probably trip somebody). Heavy chain in a cloth sleeve through both wheels is probably as good as you are going to get.
Alarm may be good but could also be incredibly annoying, only one way to find out.

Cover is always good.

If they want your bike, they will get it. It doesn't take long. That's why insurance is the most important.

 

[Jay Alexander]

Thanks guys! I definitely will have comprehensive coverage for it, and I agree with the disc lock. Disc lock really is mainly for parking it while I'm not home.
A big chain is probably a good bet. I am also probably going to get a kill switch installed to bypass fuel line (or however it works).

 

[GreyGhost]

Thanks guys! I definitely will have comprehensive coverage for it, and I agree with the disc lock. Disc lock really is mainly for parking it while I'm not home.
A big chain is probably a good bet. I am also probably going to get a kill switch installed to bypass fuel line (or however it works).

FWIW, the vast majority of bike thefts in Toronto seem to be a quick drag into the back of a stolen van. Not too many try and start or ride the bike. You need to make your bike a less attractive target than the next one (eg hard to move, ugly, less valuable, etc). Some of those can be temporary measures (like a Hyosung bike cover which hides what it truly is with something that is worth nothing).

Are there any nearby posts? A light post, bell box, anything? Don't run a chain across the sidewalk but if you can get it around something, you have made it very annoying to lift/drag your bike.

 

[Jay Alexander]

FWIW, the vast majority of bike thefts in Toronto seem to be a quick drag into the back of a stolen van. Not too many try and start or ride the bike. You need to make your bike a less attractive target than the next one (eg hard to move, ugly, less valuable, etc). Some of those can be temporary measures (like a Hyosung bike cover which hides what it truly is with something that is worth nothing).

Are there any nearby posts? A light post, bell box, anything? Don't run a chain across the sidewalk but if you can get it around something, you have made it very annoying to lift/drag your bike.

I have my car parked in the alleyway behind my apartment. I figure I can wrap a cable around a tire or around the stair frame. A jack would be able to lift the car though, and slide the lock from under it. No other places to lock it to, but the stair frame.

The first bike I'm getting is not that valuable (2018 cb500f), but next season I may end up getting a new Vulcan 900 custom, or another bigger cruiser. This market for bikes sucks right now.

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