Bike theft in Boulder is unfortunately quite common. I guess the fact that cycling is popular in Boulder equates to – in the messed up minds of the creepers who actually steal bicycles – an abundant supply of bikes to swipe, as well as a large market with a high demand for bikes and/or bike parts to re-sell the stolen goods to (and this on top of the always plentiful online market).
- Use either a U-Lock or a metal chain with a hefty padlock or smaller U-Lock on the ends.
- The best security is simply to bring your bike indoors overnight.
News of bike theft seems to be ever-present here in Boulder. Earlier this summer, the Daily Camera ran a story about the arrest of two guys suspected of stealing 65 bikes. While the article mentions that “bike theft in Boulder is down 36 percent so far this year from last year,” last week's antics seem to disrupt this optimistic outlook. Last Tuesday (September 7), “the University of Colorado saw an unusual spike in bike thefts” as seven bicycles were stolen from racks across campus. This is “an exceptionally high number” of bicycle thefts in one day. These thefts continue to haunt campus as this story, printed Tuesday September 14, in the Colorado Daily demonstrates.
Beyond the official news, I’m sure we all have our personal bike theft anecdotes as well. Within three months of moving to Boulder, my mountain bike was stolen. It was locked up on my front porch, along with my other bikes, with a big cable lock. When I got home that fateful Friday night, the cable was cut and my bike was gone. Similarly, in the few short weeks of this fall semester, I have talked to numerous people who have shown me their cable locks cut halfway through, and for them, it’s a lucky miracle that whoever was trying to steal their bikes quit before chewing the rest of the way through their locks!
Cyclists! We must protect ourselves and our two-wheeled friends! Here’s some tips:
- Cable locks, despite sometimes feeling more convenient, are out – too insecure!
Beyond the official news, I’m sure we all have our personal bike theft anecdotes as well. Within three months of moving to Boulder, my mountain bike was stolen. It was locked up on my front porch, along with my other bikes, with a big cable lock. When I got home that fateful Friday night, the cable was cut and my bike was gone. Similarly, in the few short weeks of this fall semester, I have talked to numerous people who have shown me their cable locks cut halfway through, and for them, it’s a lucky miracle that whoever was trying to steal their bikes quit before chewing the rest of the way through their locks!
Cyclists! We must protect ourselves and our two-wheeled friends! Here’s some tips:
- Cable locks, despite sometimes feeling more convenient, are out – too insecure!
- Use either a U-Lock or a metal chain with a hefty padlock or smaller U-Lock on the ends.
- When locking a bike, lock as much of it as possible to the rack (i.e. a wheel and the frame), but ALWAYS get the actual bicycle frame securely locked.
- The best security is simply to bring your bike indoors overnight.
- Finally, click here for a video demonstrating some other ideas for secure bicycle locking.
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