Lock/Railing

KevinA

Hi

I have recently joined a club and although on the group rides there are dozens of bikes outside the shop none are locked and I seem to be the only one who is always popping out to see if my bike is still there.

I have 2 rather expensive bikes (5k and 2k) and I am wondering legally if I am allowed to put a lock on a railing that is outside the shop (the sort of railings you get at traffic lights) to prevent me from carrying one around.

Is this allowed or does anyone have recommendations of a very small cable lock that I could put in my jersey pocket and use that?

Although the cable lock could get cut, with it being right outside the shop and multiple bikes unlocked I would feel a little bit more at ease.

Thanks

MiddleRinger

I sometimes carry a "cafe lock" if I'm riding somewhere a little unknown to me or going solo.



There's a few alternatives, this one fits in a jersey pocket or saddle bag. It absolutely will not stop a proper thief who really wants your bike, but it will slow them down or make the opportunistic lowlife choose another bike to try and walk off with.

figbat

The problem with leaving a lock on public street furniture is that one day you'll go there and find it gone, meaning you have to leave your bike unlocked anyway AND you're a lock down.

Mostly you are looking to prevent the casual ride-away thief, so all you need to do is make your bike less easy or attractive to steal than the next one. A small lock may not hold up to much attack, but it may prevent the grab'n'go opportunist. I have a small coil lock that was sold as a motorcycle helmet lock (lock lid to bike when left) which will secure a seat stay to a hard point.

thefd

Why not ask the cafe if they would consider purchasing a lock you could use. If you are regularly giving them custom then they may see it as a sound business investment.

StillGoing

There's no problem at all padlocking your bike to street furniture on a temporary basis, as long as it isn't causing an obstruction or inconvenience to others. Don't see what all the palava is all about?

agentorange88

If they are a regular cafe stop for lots of cyclists may be worth a chat about them getting some cable locks with keys

Theres a cafe i stopped in that has these at the door for people to just use and return when leaving.

Ive just bought a small cable lock that folds up to the size of a match box that will sit in the saddel bag. The number of very expensive bikes i see lent up outside cafes that could be ridden away in seconds is crazy. Im under no illusion that it could be cut but figure that it stops the opertunist and allows me a pee break with out taking the bike with me.

figbat

I interpreted the question as "can I leave a lock on the railings when I'm not there, then use it when I get there?".