U lock practicalities

[slowmotion]

I am not sure it is really a game changer. Opportunist thieves will not walk around with one in their bag, because if plod stops them they are in trouble for going equipped. Someone targeting your bike will not be deterred but they will always be prepared with the right tools anyway.

My general strategy is to park the bike somewhere so busy any theft would draw attention, or so quiet it is unlikely a bike thief will be passing. These are surprisingly easy to find, for instance, when I work in hospitals I tend to park them in rooftop gardens or chained to the top of fire exit staircase banisters. Obscurity is good.

I would put money on being able to cut through a D lock with a cordless angle grinder, in broad daylight, in the middle of Kensington High Street, entirely unmolested by either the public or The Met. Hiding in plain sight, or something.

If anybody has a sacrificial bike, we could put it to the test.

 

[PaulSB]

Any U lock only takes a few seconds:



QUOTE="slowmotion, post: 4910617, member: 8064"]I would put money on being able to cut through a D lock with a cordless angle grinder, in broad daylight, in the middle of Kensington High Street, entirely unmolested by either the public or The Met. Hiding in plain sight, or something.

If anybody has a sacrificial bike, we could put it to the test.

[/QUOTE]

I don't think that's Kensington High Street but as a general remark on our society and city life it's appalling. I'm very glad I don't live in such an area.

 

[PaulSB]

Bike is wrapped in extra wide electrical tape 50mm wide

I'm fascinated to understand why one would wrap a bike in electrical tape and how it aids security?

At home I sometimes use electrical tape to help prevent a hacksaw blade slipping.

 

[jefmcg]

I don't think that's Kensington High Street but as a general remark on our society and city life it's appalling. I'm very glad I don't live in such an area.

What do you think the women should have done?

 

[PaulSB]

What do you think the women should have done?

Apologies if I've diverted the discussion, it's what struck me about the video.

Yes I thought about this and wondered what I would do and I think it would be nothing. The danger of being attacked by the thief is too great.

I don't blame the women for doing nothing but think it's a comment on what society has become that a thief can act like this in broad daylight safe in the knowledge no one, including myself, would challenge him.

 

[jefmcg]

 

[GilesM]

View attachment 366817
Edit: unfortunately, these have been a bit of a game-changer...

I used one of the very small Bosch ones to cut through some hardened steel bar at work last week, it was impressive, and it does make the expensive U lock just about pointless.

 

[jay clock]

I'm fascinated to understand why one would wrap a bike in electrical tape and how it aids security?

At home I sometimes use electrical tape to help prevent a hacksaw blade slipping.

It makes the bike look a bit crap. In which case they move on to a smarter one. Slightly tarnished silver bits also help, as does the rusty basket. But still fundamentally a decent enough bike

 

[slowmotion]

What do you think the women should have done?

Well, seeing as how it's San Francisco.......

 

[jefmcg]

Simply an example, there are lots in the UK, where people steal bikes with absolutely no hindrance from the public

Which is why I posted an example Bristol above. In that case only one member of the public stopped, and he wasn't able to do much but record it and wait for owner to return (police did make an arrest subsequently)

 

[slowmotion]

Befriend a dog. I just love the woof he gives when he's safely aboard...
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]View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HB-DKO1Xmk[/media]