I was not your typical thief. I was a good girl who never got into trouble. But there I stood in the park with my friend. We were only seven years old at the time, and we were amazed at our good fortune. Right there before our eyes, lying on the ground next to a picnic blanket with the leftovers strewn about was a shiny new ten speed. It was unattended and unlocked. We looked at each other wide eyed and wondered why anyone would leave their bike unlocked. We picked it up and began thinking about how we could get away with it. The truth is, it was really too big for either one of us to ride but we couldn't pass it up. It was only much later I wondered how I would have explained the bike to my mother.

Just then the couple to whom the bike belonged came walking over the hill. "Hey!" they shouted at us. We dropped the bike and ran with everything we had in us, our hearts pounding with terror at the idea of being caught in the act. Luckily the couple did not pursue. It was enough to bring an abrupt end to any possibility that I would become a professional thief.

Not many weeks before, my own brother had endured the heartache of a stolen bike, a Christmas present barely broken in. He and my father and I had driven around and around the neighborhood hunting the bike. We did eventually find it, but only the skeletal remains of the frame.

So how could a sweet and innocent girl like me have come so close to being the thief myself and even after having witnessed my own brother's tears and agony? The same way anyone becomes a thief, rationalization. If you are not properly locking your bike, the thief who happens upon it began generating justifications in his mind long before he ever found it. Rationalizations that probably made him go and seek out your bike.

"They must not appreciate what they have. Look at this flimsy lock. They spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on this bike and a few bucks on the lock. They obviously have too much money. They can easily afford another bike. If they don't care about their property then I am right to take it. I need the money more than they do." Maybe with a little imagination, you can use your own evil nature to come up with some more rationalizations.

So lock it up, and lock it tight. Don't create opportunities for that person with weak character. Here are three of the best products on the market. They fall within the $90 to $120 range.

The best lock in the world is worthless if it's not used properly. You

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All too often, cyclists fail to spend as much time considering and choosing a locking system as they do other bicycle accessories like helmets and racks. Though no bicycle lock is impenetrable, a difficult-to-crack locking system can still prove to be excellent protection by deterring potential thieves who would rather take their chances with an easier target.

There are several different styles of locking systems on the market, each of which possess their own advantages and disadvantages:

Cable Locks

Cable locks offer the advantage of flexibility. They are easy to weave in and out of the bicycle components and around other objects. The downside to cable locks is that they are often the easiest to cut.

Armored Locks

Armored Locks are essentially a cable lock with a sequence of articulated barrels through which the cable passes. The advantage provided by armored locks over ordinary cable locks is that the barrels tend to rotate if a thief attempts to saw through the cable. These locks do, however, tend to be heavier than ordinary cable locks.

Chain Locks

Chains tend to be more flexible and secure than cables, but, if of a sufficient enough gauge to provide adequate protection, are considerably heavier. Chains are easier to transport than cables because the chain can be collapsed into less space.

Shackle Locks ('D' or 'U' Locks)

A shackle lock is one of the most secure types of lock available on the market. However, they are solid making storing them when not in use rather difficult. They also tend to be comparatively smaller than other locking systems, so you won't be able to lock your bike to larger objects such as trees or lamp posts. Similarly, you will only be able to lock the frame and one wheel with a shackle lock so any quick release and detachable items such as wheels, seats, etc. will either secured with a second lock or taken with you.

There are several different brands of locking systems available on the market, but, by far, the two most reputable are OnGuard and Kryptonite (both of whom offer anti-theft warranties on most of their models). Some of the more notable locking systems offered by these manufacturers are: OnGuard's Beast ($89.99) A 3'7" long chain system that weighs in at nearly 10 pounds. Kryptonite's New York Chain ($79.95) A 3'3" chain system that weighs a little over 6 pounds.

If weight is a concern, then OnGuard's Brute ($69.95) and Kryptonite's New York Fahgettaboudit ($89.95) are two very reliable shackle systems that both weigh in at about 4.5 pounds.

But, even the most expensive and advanced locking system is useless if you fail to exercise a little common sense. Following these few simple rules will help you minimize the chance of becoming a victim of bicycle theft:

Always lock your bike. Even if only leaving it unattended for a few minutes.

Lock your bike in a highly visible, public place.

If a bicycle stand is not available, choose a secure object (light post, tree, etc.) to which to lock your bike.

In addition to locking the frame, make sure that any quick release and detachable items such as wheels, seats, etc. are either secured or taken with you.

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Locks often don't deter a thief if they are determined, especially if your bicycle is not within public view.They simply break the lock and ride off into the deep blue yonder,or to the nearest pawn shop.

Just because a bike lock is a popular brand, does not mean it is a reputable product.So often we tend to veer towards the label brands without much regard to the lock's true value, as far as security is concerned. "Some locks are clearly not up to it and riders need to know if a lock that looks good in the shop is going to protect their bike." Harry Barber CEO of Bicycle Victoria said.

So often all that is needed is a heavy rock to break the cable locks and even less effort for the click locks. Some cheaper generic brand D locks are also often broken when thieves bash, lever or drill them apart.

Tests were recently carried out on various locks and these were carried out by Senior Constable Craig McDonald. who is involved in crime prevention.The D-locks were tested with an assortment of tools which can be easily purchased at any hardware store.

His findings were:No lock is at all 100% secure or unbreakable.

But other sources state that the $ 48 -$100 D_lock is the best of the lot.

So be prepared and think wisely.

Buy a top of the range D lock and this will help reduce the possibility of theft.

Lock your bike in full few of many others, such as a store front, service station parking area.Ensure that it is locked within a well lit area, and make sure it is locked to something which is strong and can't be uprooted.Don't lock the bike through the wheels as many thieves simply take the wheel off and walk off with the bicycle frame.

Having four sons who are bike enthusiasts has taught us the good,the bad, and the ugly side of having assorted locks. My youngest son had an excellent mountain bike which cost us a fair packet,approximately $1200. It was his much coveted Christmas present. He'd only popped into the local store for a packet of Christmas cards, and had used a long cable lock which wrapped around the bike's tires.

On his return the cable was in five pieces on the ground, and the bike was nowhere to be seen. This was in full view of hundreds of shoppers. One elderly chap had seen how the young thief

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Most bikes are actually stolen when they are unsecured and unattended, such as from your garage, apartment complex, or even a dorm room. The absolute best place to store your lock is on your bike! As long as you are not using it you should secure your bike anytime that it is not in use and certainly when you're out and about with it. Bike theft is a crime of opportunity so don t give thieves the opportunity to rip you off! There are multiple choices, to secure your ride and cheat bike thieves.

Armored/ Hardened Locks

Chain locks

Padlocks

Disc Locks

U Locks

Cable locks

Cuff-locks

Armored or Hardened locks-these are most commonly used with a chain or cable. They are more appropriate however on a gate or a storage shed when used alone and they really don't offer a lot of security when you take into account that though they are hardened and are extremely difficult to cut through a chain is only as good as the links. If you have a hardened lock use a heavy duty hard to cut chain for it or you're bike is likely to be gone if it is left locked up for long enough.

Chain locks- Basic and easy to use,they are not much of a deterrent to would be thieves. A simple bolt cutter will tackle most chains fairly easily. Even the heavy duty chains are not much defense against opportunistic thieves plus the added weight and instability for your bike.

Disk locks- Disk locks such as the On guard disk lock are a good option for either locking alone to your wheel spokes. (If used as a wheel lock a second lock is a good idea.) The on guard lock offers:

M-Cylinder locking mechanism, Armored hardened steel case, Touch lock system, titanium plating

Size: 2.3 inches x 2.2 inches. 5/8 inch shackle. Weight: 2.11 lbs

4 lazer cut keys and 1 lighted key for night use

Carrying pouch with belt clip and

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