mjamesc07

I really want to get a bike and start commuting to work and school everyday but I am having trouble convincing my Mom and my girlfriend that I will be safe. I know I can take care of myself but I am also worried about my bike security when I am at class. At work I can put it in the warehouse but school they just have the old fashion bike racks and that is it. My mom keeps saying that my tires and handle bars will be stolen. Let me know what you suggest doing in a situation like this.

chrys9989

I just made a habit of coming home in one piece and eventually she stopped nagging.

z415

I have yet to see a handlebar stolen. Make sure any quick release areas you have are secured.

And just getting your tires stolen is quite a hassle for a thief.

Square & Compas

Tires, or rather wheels getting stolen is likely. Especially if you have quick release and you do not lock them to something or at least run a cable through. It is doubtful your handle bars would be stolen. Have you ever tried to remove them, or even the stem? Not an easy thing to do, nor very valuable. Theives are looking for oppurtunity. They want to get in, steal your property and get out very quickly. Removing handle bars is more time consuming then a theif wants to deal with.

RubenX 

Before I give any suggestions,

Your age and general location of the commutage please...

cyclezealot

In regards to safety.. I always mouth off about the craziness I see on the other side of bike lane divider and how glad I am at having to not cope with nutty motorists..

Basil Moss

So, they want you to not use your bike in case part of it gets nicked. That's like not washing up the dishes because they will just get dirty again. Explain to them their lack of logic.

JinbaIttai

They'll steal your seat too. So run a cable lock through the frame/wheels/seat, and then at least one more bar-type lock through the frame.

Bike theft usually isn't all that premeditated. It's typically some amateur/drug addict looking to make a quick buck. A quick easy buck. Having multiple locks is not easy to deal with for them, and it will make a typical thief choose to steal the bike next to yours, the one with only one dainty cable lock through the front wheel, for instance.

harleyfrog

Get a couple CREE LED flashlights (Fenix L2D is popular, as is the Rominsen RC-N3), a couple PlantBike SuperFlashes, a safety vest like the road crews wear. That will keep you safe. For the bike, a couple good Kryptonite locks will do, as will good locking strategy.

AndrewP

Keep good quality locks on the racks at school and work. Keys are much lighter than locks. Blinkie lights and helmet or glasses mounted mirror will keep you safe while riding. What bike do you have and what distances do you ride?

enine

How do you commute now? Car? What about car security when your in class. someone could easily reak the window, someone could steal it, etc. My college sub contracted to this crappy towing company who was known to reach inside rolled down windows and pull the parking sticker off windows and drop it in the floor so they could tow the car for not displaying the sticker.
The insurance deductable for a car theft or break in is probably higher than the cost of a bike if thats what they are worried about.

mjamesc07

I am 19 I go to the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. The commute is about 30 miles round trip-work,class,home. I work in a warehouse so I can just keep my bike in their with me. It is mainly just security at school. I will be riding either a Kona Jake or a Surly Cross Check not sure which one I am going to get yet.

genec

Either one is a nice bike... make sure you get a good U lock and secure the bike through the frame with that U lock... and to a secure object.

Dress in bright clothing and use lights after dark.

mjamesc07

What about the saddle do they have bolts with keytools? Like you can get for rims on your car?

harleyfrog

Pitlocks.

mjamesc07

Those Pitlocks are pretty cool. Thank you all for your help and advice.

rbrian

Well not exactly, the bike might not get nicked, but the dishes will get dirty. So, what's the point of washing them?

Perhaps a better analogy would be not using the wedding china in case it gets broken - just something to keep in a cupboard never to be seen again.

CB HI

Ask Mom and GF, bicycle or motorcycle?

Use flashing lights even for daytime riding.
Read and follow
https://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

Your biggest problem is bike security at school. Especially since you plan on getting a nice cycle. Pit locks and 2 types of frame locks at a minimum. Can you leave a heavy chain lock on the rack or at school? If so, I use a U-lock with cable through the wheels plus this chain lock:
https://www.rei.com/product/731893

mjamesc07

I did ask them motorcycle and never brought it up again. I still want one but I really want to get to the point to where I can live comfortable without driving my car for anything but cross town trips in vegas, out of state, and time essential unplanned events.

Doohickie

If you're worried about the bike being stolen, I would suggest going with a less desireable bike than a Kona or Surly. Maybe even get a used bicycle. Yeah, some people steal bikes just for the scrap metal, but others only steal the better ones so they can pawn or sell them. One way to keep them from stealing your high-dollar target is to not have a high-dollar target to steal.

CB HI

I assumed so.

But you missed my point. You asked them about a motorcycle; they said NO. You then asked them about a bicycle; they said NO.

Now, if you had asked them "There is insufficient campus parking, I need to get to school and then work, so should I ride a motorcycle or a bicycle?" The question does not open up to a NO answer.

mjamesc07

I gotcha. I have decided to just get a bike and start using it to workout and stuff at first and when I get use to the bike and the ride I will start commuting. I think I will ride my commute on the weekend so I can find the best and safest route.

CB HI

A very smart thing to do. Also, go to the commuter forum with any commuting or bike equipment questions. You will get many good ideas there.

surveyor

I would also recommend that you drive your commute during the time you will actually be riding it. You may find that you want to change your route, or your schedule...

dynodonn 

My wife and my mother have long since stopped expressing their fears of my commuting by bicycle. They figure that if I made this far in life without getting seriously hurt or killed, then I must be either lucky or have some sort of idea what I'm doing.
Now I just have to convince my employer.