Bike security isn’t just about having the fanciest, most theft-proof lock that money can buy. In addition to using a high-quality, approved lock, choosing the right spot to leave your bike and using proper locking techniques are crucial steps in protecting your bike from theft.
There’s more than one right way to lock up your bike and even more ways you should never lock your bike. The handful of methods to correctly lock up one’s bike below ensures that all cyclists can find one that fits their routine— after all, securing a bike needs to be practical and convenient, too. Dive into the details of how to properly lock your bike on the street!
Correct bike lock technique starts well before reaching for your lock. By choosing the right location to lock up your bike, you can significantly reduce the possibility of a thief even considering stealing your bike.
Location matters when it comes to bike security on the street, and I’m personally convinced that it’s the most important factor. In nearly two decades of riding, I’ve been lucky enough never to have been a victim of bike theft, not even any attempted attacks on my bike lock. That said, Campus Facilities cut my chain lock during college because I left my bike locked to a lamppost for 30 minutes, and apparently, that was against the rules— I swear I'm still not bitter.
I attribute much of that luck to leaving my bike in high-traffic, well-lit areas near other bikes. Avoiding having the fanciest bike of the bunch also reduces the chances of a thief targeting your specific blingy bike. Sometimes your options are limited when parking your bike on the street but it can be worth exploring the nearby blocks to find a more secure spot.
Locking your bike improperly makes it an easy target, potentially inviting a thief to steal your bike without much hassle. Correct bike lock technique, however, shows passersby that you mean business and will complicate any attempt to tamper with your bike.
First things first, you should be using a high-quality bike lock that can withstand cutting from bolt cutters and slow-down angle grinder attacks. Here at Sundays, we require bike owners with our coverage to use an approved lock— most of these locks receive Gold or Diamond security ratings from the independent tester Sold Secure.
Below are four of the most secure ways to lock a bicycle. The appropriate method will depend on various factors like the locks you have and the desired level of protection, but being aware of these effective strategies ensures that you’re ready for any situation on the street.
When it comes to keeping your bike safe, two locks are always better than one. The first lock secures the front wheel and frame to the bike rack (or the chosen immovable object) and the second lock goes around the back wheel and rear frame area. This way, both wheels are properly locked and the frame is secured in two places.
You can use two of the same type of bike locks, but some suggest using two different locks which would require that a thief carries multiple types of lock-breaking tools. Riders may leave a heavy-duty chain lock at the location where they park their bike every day and pair it with a lighter D-lock that they always carry with them.
This popular method is probably the most efficient combination of convenience and security. Riders use a D-lock to secure the rear wheel and frame while looping a long cable through the front wheel and back to the D-lock. Both wheels and the frame are secured, preventing a thief from immediately making off with your front wheel, many of which have quick-release skewers.
The main advantages of this strategy are weight savings and flexibility. The thick cable weighs significantly less than an additional D-lock and is long enough to work with any bike rack or other object you’re securing your bike to.
The extra cable adds a layer of protection but isn’t as secure as a heavier-duty lock, so your front wheel is still vulnerable. That said, the cable is a convincing deterrent that won’t weigh down your bag too much, as long as you have space for it. If you’ve been riding around with just a D-lock, up your security with this straightforward and convenient method!
A single, larger-sized D-lock can be enough to secure your bike’s frame and both wheels, but you’ll have to remove the front wheel with this method. Position the front wheel next to the rear wheel and the D-lock can slide through both wheels and the frame, typically one of the seatstays. A large D-lock is the right style of lock for this method— a chain lock would be quite cumbersome to snake through all those spokes.
The benefit of this method is that you technically only need one lock to secure all your bike’s most important parts. Also, both wheels and the frame take up the internal space of the D-lock so there’s no room for a thief to fit a bottle jack or crowbar to force open the lock. Removing the quick-release front wheel each time you lock up your bike is a hassle, but can be worth it to ensure that it’s secure.
A lesser-known but highly efficient way to lock up your bike is by using the method popularized by bicycle legend Sheldon Brown. Riders can use a small D-lock to secure the rear wheel from within the rear triangle of the frame.
Even though the lock doesn’t go around the frame, the frame is still secure because there’s no way that the rear wheel can be separated from the frame. It may look odd at first, but the logic checks out. For this method to work, the D-lock must be somewhere within the rear triangle of the frame.
This clever technique allows riders to secure their frame and rear wheel with a smaller D-lock. I can imagine that potential thieves may not understand this method and could still attempt to remove the rear wheel, believing it’s the only part secured to the bike rack. Even if they can’t easily take the bike, they could damage your frame and wheel in the process.
West Point Cycles shows how to do the "Sheldon Brown" method:
When you’re not out and about, your bike typically lives at home and is kept far away from the prying eyes of potential thieves. The secure bike locking techniques mentioned above are just as applicable when locking your bike at home. Storing your bike inside a garage or shed is more secure than leaving it outside and your bike should still always be locked up.
Some lucky commuters can store their bikes in a secure area provided by their workplace. This avoids having to lock the bike on the street and is generally safer for one’s bike, but security isn’t guaranteed. These areas are often located in parking garages with relatively little foot traffic, enabling thieves to spend more time trying to break into these bike-filled jackpots with less risk of being seen or heard. And remember that the communal spaces are still accessible by many individuals so it’s important to securely lock your bike inside the space.
The best way to lock a bike is to use a combination of high-quality locks and proper locking techniques. Start by securing the frame and both wheels to a fixed, immovable object like a bike rack. Ideally, use two locks: a heavy-duty U-lock (D-lock) for the frame and rear wheel, and a cable or second U-lock for the front wheel. Position the locks so they are difficult to access or tamper with, and ensure there is minimal space inside the lock to prevent tools like crowbars or bottle jacks from being used. Locking your bike in a well-lit, high-traffic area further reduces the risk of theft.
It’s generally recommended to prioritize locking your rear wheel because it’s worth more than the front wheel. If you can’t secure all the parts of your bike, lock your bike according to value— this means locking your frame first, then your rear wheel and the front wheel.
Locking an e-bike requires extra care due to its higher value and additional components. Use a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond-rated U-lock to secure the frame and rear wheel to a sturdy, immovable object. For added security, use a second lock, such as a heavy-duty chain or cable, to secure the front wheel. Remove easily detachable components like the battery or display and take them with you. If possible, park your e-bike in a monitored or high-traffic area, and consider using GPS tracking devices for additional protection.
Backpacks, panniers, front baskets, and rear racks are good places to put your bike lock as you’re riding. Hanging your bike lock on the handlebars or loosely wrapping a chain lock around the frame can damage bike parts as they rattle around. Many D-locks and folding locks come with frame mounts to securely attach the lock inside the main triangle of your bike frame.
Sold Secure Diamond, Gold, Silver & Bronze Bike Locks: www.soldsecure.com/category/bicycle
The Sheldon Brown bike locking method: www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
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