3 Ways to Lock Up Using Bike Racks

We are getting used to seeing an increasing number of bike racks on our streets to securely lock up bikes. This makes good sense, cycling is an eco-friendly alternative, and it’s easy to attract new visitors if they have somewhere to safely park their bikes. However, even the best bike rack will not be much help if the bike is not properly secured in place. In this article, we will look at three ways to properly lock up a bike to an appropriately secure bike rack.

1. Always Use a Pair of U-Locks

The most secure type of bike lock is the u-lock style steel lock. Many cyclists swear by this system, and if you get a decent model, it’s the hardest type of bike lock to defeat. Although it is possible to remove a u-lock, it can take some time, and many thieves will simply avoid them entirely. However, a single u-lock will only go so far, and it’s a better idea to use a pair of different makes or models of u-lock together. Use the first u-lock around your rear wheel, through the bike frame, and around the bike rack. Use the second u-lock through the front wheel, pass it through the frame and then around the bike rack. Now both wheels and two areas of the frame are securely locked to the bike rack, and if a thief defeats one, they will still need to defeat the second lock.

2. Use Different Lock Makes

We discussed this briefly above, but it makes very good sense to use a pair of u-locks that are sourced from different manufacturers. Most bikes are stolen by thieves that are quite specialised rather than opportunists. For this reason, they will carry a toolkit that they can use to break into a variety of different locks. If you have a pair of locks that are the same, the thief can use the same method and tools on both of them. This will save them time and effort, and our primary goal should be to make their lives as hard as possible. When a thief has to expend more time and effort to steal it’s more likely that they will be detected and caught.

3. Using a U-Lock and a Cable

Some cyclists don’t like to carry a pair of u-locks with them, and this is somewhat understandable. A u-lock can be heavy and bulky to carry if you’re not using a set of panniers or you need to travel light. If you only intend to park up at a bike rack for a short period of time, you could ride your luck and go for a u-lock and cable locking solution. Secure the rear wheel with the u-lock as shown earlier and use the cable lock on the front wheel. Pass the cable through the front wheel, loop once through a second loop to secure the main locking mechanism. This will be less secure, but it may suffice for very short periods of time only.

If they are searching for bike racks, Perth based property managers should contact Image Bollards for expert help.