Security of bikes...how nickable?

[jc74]

I think the trick is to make the bike look a bit tatty. I cover my oxygen e-mate's controller with some messed up looking gaffa tape (the controller is bright and shiny which attracts attention) - the bike is also black which helps and I have taped up other visible bits so it looks very drab - I lock it up in as conspicuous a place as possible (like where there are a lot of people around) and use a Krtyponite lock - it gets left outside various south london railway stations - I leave the battery on it (I dont want to have to carry that around with me) - being all black and looking a bit of a mess so far no problems!

Hmm, that's food for thought - I didn't think anyone would dare leave the electric bike with the battery in it!! - I've done the same as you gaffa taping the controller!... I wonder if that is indeed sufficient to allow me to leave the battery in place (I don't particularly want to carry it either... but I'd even less want to walk home!!)

 

[cwah]

Actually I'm planning to leave my battery on my bike when I park it for few hours.

But the battery would be hidden inside the brompton bag.


I've tried to hide as much as possible all the "electric" components visible from my bike. People looking at my brompton just think that my motor is a dynamo hub

Hope however that the thieve wouldn't want to steal this bike...


Edit:
On my full size bike, I've always parked my bike with the battery visible:

No one never ever tried to steal the battery box. I've got my seat stolen, my toolbar, my bike pushed... but nothing on the battery box. I believe thieve wouldn't know how to sell it so they don't even try.

 

[Scottyf]

Always best to use two locks as ever.
Batteries I always took with me. One with the lipo and two when I had a battery that would slide out of a rack.

Now I dont have electric I actually take the wheels off put frame / wheels through two locks.
Left it in the middle of Birmingham for hours and hours like that and no one goes near it.

However the best advise really is don't leave a bike you would be gutted about if it got stolen.

Try chain it up to somewhere there's lots of people and view.
Last time I did this I found a railing in front of a casino. No one went near it becasue of passing traffic, people and staff.

 

[jerrysimon]

hmm.. I can't always carry my bike with me everywhere.

I can

Seriously, I insure my bikes which contributes to peace of mind. Also if I know I have to lock my bike up in town I take a non assisted old banger.

Jerry

 

[cwah]

Received my kryptonite lock today. Will shortly test to park the bike outside with the lock and pacsafe cables... hope it's going to be fine.

 

[cwah]

Here is the bike locked outside:

 

[eddieo]

Ha ha ha.....excellent! Just make sure they cant slide it up over top of pole...

 

[cwah]

I'm just wondering if I should add a cover to the bike, but I woudn't want to have people thinking it may be a bomb

 

[cwah]

Ha ha ha.....excellent! Just make sure they cant slide it up over top of pole...

Yeah, I was thinking about that. But as the bike is quite heavy (probably 25+ kg with the lock and everything), it would be quite tough to slide it over the top of the pole.

 

[smudger1956]

Looks good, but your handlebar controls look a bit exposed, could get hit by pedestrians,pushchair,or some bike courier, delivery driver trolley ?

 

[jazper53]

Can a bike be ever secure ?

 

[cwah]

Ahah, don't know what I can do to prevent the pedestrian or other to crush my handlebar or bike. Time will tell how it works.

Jazper, I hope it's secure enough for few hours.

 

[eddieo]

Yeah, I was thinking about that. But as the bike is quite heavy (probably 25+ kg with the lock and everything), it would be quite tough to slide it over the top of the pole.

not to a desperate smack head....Railings better

 

[smudger1956]

While on the subject -

Motorcycle and Bicycle GPS Trackers - Products

 

[Synthman]

Can a bike be ever secure ?



View attachment 3657

That should be put on display in the Tate Modern or something.

 

[stesteste]

Here mine at work kryptonite m18 ,abus lock on back wheel and kabrus alarm lock i have cover when its raining with holes for the locks when I made myself looks safe art work but this is what I use for public parking

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

 

[cwah]

A lock I've found yesterday on the street

The lock does seem solid lol

 

[HD462]

It's not just stealing the bike you need to think of, what about vandalism? It only takes someone to start snipping a few wires here and there, or breaking things off the bike just for wanton vandalism to end up with a fair sized repair bill.

 

[Mussels]

Ahah, don't know what I can do to prevent the pedestrian or other to crush my handlebar or bike. Time will tell how it works.

Jazper, I hope it's secure enough for few hours.

I know where that pole its and I wouldn't attach my bike there, crime is incredibly high there and 25kg is easy to lift over a 6'pole. If you don't lose there bike someone will take the bag away.