Keep Your Bike Safe During School Hours

When riding a bike to school, it's always a good idea to have a ready plan to keep your bike safe. Bike theft is very common, and here are some simple ways to protect yourself and your bike.

Steps

  1. Get a bike lock. This seems simple and easy, but many people forget to lock their bikes. Either use a chain lock or a specially designed U-shaped bicycle lock. You can use either a combination lock or a key lock with the chain system. If you use a combination lock, make the combination something only you would know and don't share it with ANYONE! If you use a key lock, be sure to keep your key safe and with you at all times. Don't leave your key with your locked bike! Also, it's important to remember to not just loop the lock around a tire. A bike thief could easily remove the tire, and walk away with the bike frame. Usually, U-locks are stronger and safer than cable locks.
  2. Don't keep any loose items on your bike. Not only could they be stolen, it could lead to identity theft and many other bad things.
  3. Don't leave your bike alone for an extended period of time. Leaving your bike alone too long will increase your chances of having it stolen. Check on it during lunch and right after school to keep it safe. Additionally, you can ask your school whether they offer storage space or large lockers. Some schools even have locked up rooms, if many of their students wish to keep their bikes locked up during the day.
  4. Keep the bike away from any place where it may be kicked over or scratched. Make sure that it is locked to a pole for example. Avoid bike racks that hold onto either wheel because if the bike happens to fall over, the wheel will be bent. In addition bike racks such as that scratch the rim and spokes.
  5. Stay calm if your bike is damaged or stolen. Report the theft to your school authorities and tell your friends to keep an eye out for the thief and/or your bike.

Although using a u lock on the main frame will stop the whole bike being stolen thieves can steal the tires if you don't have them locked up especially if they are quick clips which allow people to steal the tires even faster. To stop this use to small chains around the tires so that its hard to get them and deter opportunists.


Tips

  • If there's a class trip lasting longer than the average school hours, you shouldn't ride your bike to school, unless someone else can pick it up for you.

Warnings

  • Never steal anyone else's bike, even as payback! This is a felony and revenge is never the answer.

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