The Bike Lock Project is a project conceived by Anthony Stepter, a Grand Rapids native. The project was inspired both by conversations about the abundance of poorly locked bikes and by the book Digital Foundations by xtine burrough and Michael Mandiberg which was drafted using a wiki.
Overview
Problem: Many cyclists do not lock up their bikes properly. Ostensibly, this is due to a lack of information. Educating these cyclists is difficult because they are rarely present when their bike is improperly locked.
Goal: Create a document that can be easily shared and distributed to inform cyclists of effective methods of locking up bicycles.
Approach: Community recommendations for bike locking methods will be solicited via the viget wiki and g-rad. The best methods will be selected and converted into brief instructions (text and visuals) that can be printed and distributed to cyclists. A small batch of instructions will be printed and distributed as spoke cards to be placed on the bikes of riders who could use a lesson in bike locking technique. The back of the card will feature a general statement on effective bike locking techniques. A digital document will be made available so that others can print and distribute the spoke cards.
Instructions:
Submitting Methods
To submit a complete locking method use the following format:
Method Name:
Tools:
Method:
Comments:
Here's an example:
Method Name: Big Lock Method
Tools: U-lock
Method: Remove front wheel and position it in line with the rear wheel. Thread the U-lock through the rear wheel, the frame, a fixed object (bike rack, hand rail, etc…) and the repositioned front wheel. Lock the U-lock.
Comments: Make sure that the U-lock passes through the frame. Never just lock up the wheels. Make sure the object you attach the bike to is not so slim that a thief can slide the locked bike up and off of the object (ex: street sign with missing sign, random pole). Avoid old U-locks with “tubular cylinder locks” they can be unlocked with a pen!
General Statement
To contribute to the general statement on effective bike locking techniques, contribute to the statement below.
Locking bikes in high-traffic areas is generally safer than secluded areas where thieves can use tools to break locks inconspicuously. Never lock a bike on a tree. The tree could be cut down (remember, bike thieves are assholes). No matter how well you lock up your bike, if you leave it outside too long, people will take any parts they can (saddles, cranks, handlebars, etc…).
Methods
Method Name: Big Lock Method
Tools: U-lock
Method: Remove front wheel and position it in line with the rear wheel. Thread the U-lock through the rear wheel, the frame, a fixed object (bike rack, hand rail, etc…) and the repositioned front wheel. Lock the U-lock.
Comments: Make sure that the U-lock passes through the frame. Never just lock up the wheels. Make sure the object you attach the bike to is not so slim that a thief can slide the locked bike up and off of the object (ex: street sign with missing sign, random pole). Avoid old U-locks with “tubular cylinder locks” they can be unlocked with a pen!
Method Name: Bear Minimum
Tools: U-lock
Method: Thread the U-lock through one of your wheels and you frame. Lock the U-lock.
Comments: You are basically deciding which wheel you are willing to lose with this method. The rear wheel has more hardware and is generally more expensive to replace, but the front wheel is often easier to remove. Make sure that the U-lock passes through the frame.
