Leaving a bike locked in London

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classic33

Leg End Member
I was responding to skipdiver john's quote "A cheap hack can always live outside, even on the street chained to a railing or lamp post if you haven't got a garden. " I couldn't even leave a cheap bike outside for much over half a day where I live. Even during the day, it would be gone.
You'd have another one handy though!

Which is the wrong attitude, my opinion, as the other could be at home. Leaving you to find alternate means of getting home.
 

icowden

Veteran
Location
Surrey
There is no holy grail of parking other than finding a secure car park. Came out of the science museum today and walked up to prince consort road. There was a black BMW with back and side windows smashed in cos someone saw bags in the car. And that's in a busy area. It looked like they had been chased off, but someone is returning to a shock.

Same thing with bikes. If you leave a nice bike locked up for a period of time in that there london some scrote or other is going to have a go at liberating it. Or the parts that it is made of.
 

Paulus

Started young, and still going.
Location
Barnet,
Some years back, my neighbour gave me his Raleigh Pioneer, it was in reasonable nick, but I took the time to age it and distress it as it was going to be my hack to the station most days. It lasted two days. The D lock was cut off and left on the floor.
Having an old rat bike to leave around is no deterant to a scroat who wants a few quid.
 

SkipdiverJohn

Deplorable Brexiteer
Location
London
It lasted two days. The D lock was cut off and left on the floor. Having an old rat bike to leave around is no deterant to a scroat who wants a few quid.

I wouldn't be too happy at losing my hack Pioneer either, as they are good bikes. However, if you are going to lose a bike, it's better to have a £50 one nicked rather than a £2k one. One is just irritating and can be recouped by foregoing a night out on the beer, the other is a significant financial loss.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I wouldn't be too happy at losing my hack Pioneer either, as they are good bikes. However, if you are going to lose a bike, it's better to have a £50 one nicked rather than a £2k one. One is just irritating and can be recouped by foregoing a night out on the beer, the other is a significant financial loss.
You spend £50 a night at the pub...? :eek:

I gave up boozing once I didn't get change out of £10 for 3 pints! :laugh:

PS I feel the same way about my DIY singlespeed bike. It has cost me less than £100 for thousands of miles of use and I would be upset for something to happen to it, but rather that than my best bike which cost me the best part of £2,000 16 or 17 years ago. I could probably get an equally good bike now for a smidge over £1,000, but I can't afford even that now.
 

SkipdiverJohn

Deplorable Brexiteer
Location
London
You spend £50 a night at the pub...? :eek:
I gave up boozing once I didn't get change out of £10 for 3 pints! :laugh:

Generally, as I usually patronise a 'spoons and I drink real beer not fizzy lager, my beer bill tends to be pretty modest. £50 will last me all week. However, its not hard to get through £50 on a single night out if I'm socialising in central London and I include the cost of my tube fares. That tends to be special occasions like someone's birthday, not a quiet pint for relaxation.
 
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gasinayr

gasinayr

Über Member
Location
Ayr Scotland
More good news, cycling to work today son got stopped by the police who asked if he would like his bike " Bike registered " free of charge. No thanks I already have that, they checked his bike on national database, checked out ok.
Arrived at work to find workmen installing bike racks directly outside the shop where he works, it seems him jumping up and down and sending a letter to the mayor has worked
 

Etern4l

Active Member
More good news, cycling to work today son got stopped by the police who asked if he would like his bike " Bike registered " free of charge. No thanks I already have that, they checked his bike on national database, checked out ok.
Arrived at work to find workmen installing bike racks directly outside the shop where he works, it seems him jumping up and down and sending a letter to the mayor has worked

Where do you live? Cayman Islands? :tongue:

What's the national database and how does one register?
 

Ming the Merciless

There is no mercy
Location
Inside my skull
More good news, cycling to work today son got stopped by the police who asked if he would like his bike " Bike registered " free of charge. No thanks I already have that, they checked his bike on national database, checked out ok.
Arrived at work to find workmen installing bike racks directly outside the shop where he works, it seems him jumping up and down and sending a letter to the mayor has worked

Taking away car parking spaces for bike parking outside shops here. Easily park 6 bikes for one car. Win win.
 

Etern4l

Active Member
Get a registration pack from Halfords £12.00 follow the instructions in the pack Job Done

Thanks, found it. It's basically a QR code sticker... I guess that's better than nothing, but barely so.
The £30 kit is a bit better, would force them to respray the bike. I guess either option might deter the most basic opportunistic thief, if they even notice the sticker.
 
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