4 ms·
You make a great point with respect to an average person. But I think your experience with theft is atypical for someone as dedicated as you are. I've commuted
by btrettel 9y ago
You make a great point with respect to an average person. But I think your experience with theft is atypical for someone as dedicated as you are.
I've commuted by bike for about a decade and I've never had a bike stolen. Once I had the seat stolen off a beater I left at a train station, but that was expected. I use two locks, one a hefty cable and the other a U lock with the cable for the other wheel. My philosophy is that if I can't take the bike in, then I'll make my bike seem harder to steal than the next one. Could be luck, but so far, so good.
When I lived in Baltimore I'd take my bike in every night. I was told anything out at night was liable to be stolen. Now I am in Austin and that's not necessary, though I do it anyway.
During the day I lock my bike up at work and aside from the occasional piece of trash people put in my rear crate, doesn't look like anyone touches it. That was true in Baltimore too.
My current commuter cost about $1100 new. I bought it used for about half that about 4 years ago. So not a cheap bike either.
- lmm 9y ago> When I lived in Baltimore I'd take my bike in every night. I was told anything out at night was liable to be stolen. Now I am in Austin and that's not necessary, though I do it anyway. Then you're not making a fair comparison. No-one is going to be taking these bike startup bikes in overnight. I used to lock my bike on the racks my building had, but I had two or three stolen. I bought a heavy lock and a bike with non-standard bolts on the wheels... then the handlebars and saddle were stolen off it. Now I bring my bike in to my third-floor flat every time.
- btrettel 9y agoI agree. Perhaps I was unclear. My comment was mostly unsolicited bike locking advice to bbarn, not suggestions for how to operate bike share systems. Clearly you can't take in the bike share bikes overnight. Sorry to hear about your experience. I'd probably have had a similar experience in Baltimore if I didn't take my bike in overnight.