There is a great variety of bike locking systems available on the market today. Cable locks and U-locks are the most popular, but there are other ... No related posts.]]>

Not long ago, a friend of mine locked his bike to a bike stand in front of a library and went into the library for a few hours of caffeinated research. By the time he got back to the bike stand, his bike was gone. Stunned, he looked around the area, and asked people if anyone saw anything. Finding no helpful information, he returned to the bike stand and just stared blankly for a while at the spot where he left his bike only a few hours ago. Like many people, who have been through this all too common scenario, my friend never saw that bike again.

Sadly, bike theft is a rather frequent occurrence. To a thief, a bike is the ultimately convenient combination of both a valuable commodity with high resale value, and a great getaway vehicle. And to a the owner, a bike may be not only a considerable financial investment, but also a daily necessity, an escape from routine, a personal contribution to making our planet a better place to live, and a loyal companion through many adventures and challenges. Given how valuable a bike is to its owner, and how much of a temptation it is to a thief, appropriate bike security measures are a must.

A decent bike locking system is essential to bike security. Unfortunately, any bike lock can be picked, cut, or broken with the right tools. But well thought-out preventative measures and a good bike locking system can make most attempts to steal a bike highly impractical.

There is a great variety of bike locking systems available on the market today. Cable locks and U-locks are the most popular, but there are other alternatives, such as chain locks and street cuffs. Some bikers even choose to assemble their own locking mechanisms.

Several factors need to be considered when choosing a bike lock: the type of bike, the security level sought, lock weight, convenience, affordability, warranty, and insurance. Mountain, BMX, and children's bikes need locks that accommodate wider wheels and frames, while road bikes need smaller locks. The space within a bike lock should be filled as much as possible to make it more difficult to pry the lock open.

In general, the more secure a bike lock is, the more it costs. So it makes sense to consider how much security you need. On the one extreme, if you only park your bike for quick stops and practically never let it out of sight, a cheaper and lighter low-security cable combination lock may be a better option than a more expensive high-security chain lock that requires carrying keys. On the other

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