The Best Ways to Lock Your Bicycle

• If you don't lock your bike up, the chances of it being stolen are quite high. Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

  Riding your bike is a great alternative means of transportation because it helps you stay in shape, saves you money on gas, and it gives the environment a break. However, bicycle theft is extremely common, so you have to protect your investment. There are some very simple things that you can do in order to keep your bike safe at all times.

Cable & Chain Locks

• The cable lock is the most basic and commonly purchased bike lock available. It is comprised of a simple wire cable with plastic covering. Normally, a combination lock is attached to the cable and a key is used to open it. However, you also have the option of buying the wire cable and the combination lock separately. Cable wire locks provide minimal security and can easily be severed by bolt cutters. If you need added security, you can purchase heavy-duty chains with combination locks. These are similar to wire cable locks, but are more durable and harder to break.

O-Locks

• O-locks are shaped like handcuffs. One portion of the handcuff binds the tire while the other wraps itself around the rim and the spokes. O-Locks are slightly stronger than cable locks, but they are still pretty easy to break down because most bicycles are fitted with quick-release levers which allow for easy dismemberment of both the rear and front tires.

U-Locks

• If bicycle theft is extremely common within your area, then it is a good idea to purchase a lock contraption which cannot be sliced open using a bolt-cutter. In this regard, U-locks are ideal because they're made of steel, and are heavier than the other varieties thereby making them harder to breakdown. As the name suggests, the entire contraption is U-shaped. It has a smaller bar, equipped with a lock, which attaches to the open end of the "U." You have to use a key to open the bar. One end of the U-lock passes through the back tire, under the seat, while the open end is placed at the top of the back tire.

Where to Lock Your Bike

• The best place to lock your bicycle is by placing it next to an immobile object such as a lamp post or a parking meter. You should also lock your bike close to the area in which you're spending time so that you can easily keep an eye on it.

Important Tips

• When locking your bike with a chain lock, be sure to pass the chain through both of your tires as well as the frame of the bicycle. However, most bicycles are assembled in such a way that both tires as well as the seat can easily be dislodged by pressing upon the quick-release knob. In order to counter this, you should first take out the seat as well as the front tire and place them parallel to the rear tire. Then, just pass the chain through the rear and front tire as well as the seat and bind them tightly with the frame.