If you ride in the city, you’re likely wondering, how do I lock it up temporarily when I’m at work or just going inside a store or business? Bikes have been stolen when left alone for a minute or less. It’s normal to wonder how can I lock my bike without a rack, especially, if there is no rack available for you to secure it to.
How Can I Lock My Bike Without A Rack
Lock your frame to something that cannot be cut or moved such as street signs, bust stop signs, large trees, scaffolding, parking meters, and sturdy benches that are properly secured to the ground. If there’s nothing to secure your bike to, use a bike lock to immobilize the wheels.
Let’s take a closer look at how to secure your bike while in the city and make sure you’re not breaking any of the city biking regulations.
We’ll take a close look at what can you lock your bike to and are you allowed to lock your bike to it?
But first, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to properly secure your bicycle in the city. Read this article if you want to learn how to properly secure your bike so it won’t be stolen.
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How Can You Lock Your Bike On The Street?
Get A Bike Lock
Every biker should carry a bike lock on all their rides. My personal favorite is the Kryptonite New York Lock Standard U-Lock because it durable enough to withstand bolt cutters and other hand tools that will deter thieves.
You never want to skimp on the cost of your lock, as the right one will deter thieves and protect your expensive bicycle.
Another option is a cable lock. While not as secure as the U-Lock, like the one above, but a chain lock will make it easy to secure your bike to pretty much anything. I highly recommend the Kryptonite Keeper Bicycle Chain Lock, as it allows you to sign up for additional anti-theft protection via their website.
Can You Lock Your Bike Anywhere?
Believe it or not, many cities have their own ordinances about where and how long cyclists can lock their bikes to city property. It’s important to understand what the regulations are in your city, so you don’t break any laws or get a fine.
Make sure you understand where you can temporarily or permanently park your bike in the city if you’re not using a bike rack or specific bike parking. The laws vary from every town, city, and state, so it’s up to you to understand the risks.
Where You Should Not Lock Your Bike
Locked To Trees
Never lock your bike to City-owed trees, as may ordinances clearly state that no objects can be attached to trees. Many cities in the United States are spending millions in planting trees in urban areas, to help beautify their city and help with global warming.
Bike locks can hurt the tree’s bark, which can let insects get in and kill the tree. Not only that, but not all trees are sturdy, and with the right tools a highly motivated thief can cut a tree down quickly and steal your bike.
So don’t park lock your bike to a tree, in some cities like New York, it can come with a hefty fine.
Locked To Street Signs, Bus Signs and Streetlamps
If you do lock your bike to a sign post, make sure it is properly secured to the ground. Give the post a wiggle and if it moves easily, don’t use it.
Avoid signs that are missing any signage as a thief can easily lift the bike over the pole. If you’re using a chain or long cable lock, avoid poles, as a thief will still be able to lift the bike over the sign.
Some city ordinances prevent cyclists from parking to handicap signs, or signs that cause your bike to block the sidewalk.
Parking Meters
Never secure your bike to a parking meter, as that’s a big no-no in most cities. Bikes can block the collection of fees and make it hard for vehicles to use the meter. Police offices and city officials will be more likely to remove a bike attached to a parking meter than one that is locked to a lamppost.
Parking meters are short and someone with enough muscle can simply lift the bike over the meter and ride off.
Avoid parking your bike next to anything that makes the city money this includes pay and display parking.
Chain Link Fence
With a pair of wire cutters, a thief can easily cut through the links on the fence and steal the bike. Never lock your bike to a security fence around condos, businesses, or anywhere else in the city.
Many business owners will not appreciate having cyclists using their iron security fence as a way to lock their bikes. If the fence is damaged while your bike is attached to it, you’ll likely be held liable.
Scaffolding
“X” bars of scaffolding are held in place by nuts and bolts and can easily be unscrewed, making your bike vulnerable. Scaffolding is not a permanent solution, when the construction project is over, the workers will take the scaffold down and leave anything attached to it in the middle of the street, or they may take your bike with them.
If you’re parking your bike to scaffold while you’re at work, you never want to leave your bike overnight. You should only use the scaffold if you know the construction workers will not be completed with the job while you’re at work.
Subway Railings
It is not legal to lock your bike to any subway entrance or exit railings. Subways are the lifeblood of any city system because this is how people get from different places without the use of a personal vehicle.
A locked bicycle will obstruct people from accessing the entrance or exit and can cause the city to lose money. Most public transportation services have designated bike racks.
Fire Hydrant
Never lock your bike to fire hydrants, not only is your bike not safe, you’re blocking the use of the fire hydrant. If the fire department or police see your bike attached to the hydrant, they’ll likely cut the lock and remove the bike.
You also never want to lock your bicycle to fire call boxes, traffic signal poles or mailboxes.
To Nothing
Even if you’re not commuting to work, you’ll likely find yourself going into stores or stopping somewhere to use the bathroom. It’s important to get into the habit of locking your bike up, as it only takes a minute for it to get stolen.
Have a friend them watch your bike while you run inside to the supermarket, bodega, or bathroom. If you’re riding alone, you’ll want to lock the tires and make the bike immobile, so someone can’t wheel the bike away.
Remove anything that is removable like the bike light, seat, and removable lights. If possible, always try to secure your bike to something to keep it safe.
Will I Really Get In Trouble?
If you break the law and lock your bike to something you’re not supposed to, you’ll likely be fine. After all, police officers are preoccupied with more important things going on in their cities.
Many cyclists break the law by parking their bikes anywhere and have been getting away with it for years. This doesn’t mean they won’t eventually get caught.
The consequences for illegally parking your bike can vary from fines, having your bike carted off and etc.
Where Can You Lock Your Bike?
Now that we’ve discussed where you shouldn’t park your bicycle, let’s look at some of the designated areas that won’t get you into any trouble.
Designated Bike Racks
Designated bike racks are designed for short-term biking and consist of Ribbon Racks, Spiral Racks, Double-U-Rack, Inverted U-Racks, Circle Racks, and etc. These racks are meant to discourage the illegal parking of bicycles in the city.
Every city has some type of designated bike racks, just go online to find out where they are located in your area.
Covered Bike Parking Shelters
These are similar to bike racks, like bus shelters, they protect your bicycle from the elements. A shelter’s canopy keeps the sun, snow, and rain off the bikes. Bike shelters are becoming more popular and are usually found at college campuses, subways, bus and train stations, music festivals, sporting events and etc.
You can browse online to find out where the bike shelters are in your city.
Bike Rooms
A bike room consists of a place long term parking solution when you don’t have any access to outdoor shelters or lockers for your bike. These indoor storage rooms are designed for cyclists that live in areas where parking is challenging.
This parking solution is perfect for residents that live in areas where you don’t have any space to park your bike.
Bike Corrals
Many big cities such as New York, Minneapolis, Santa Barbara and etc have removed vehicle parking spaces to make additional bicycle parking. These bike areas can usually be found in front of restaurants and other businesses.
You’ll feel safe knowing your bike is parked in front of stores and offices, so you can enjoy a nice meal or spend the day shopping.
Final Word
With more and more people biking for exercise and commuting, it’s important to know where you can legally park your bike to keep it safe. The laws pertaining to bicycles can be confusing, which can make it expensive for you.
The best way to ensure you’re not breaking any laws, stick with designated bike racks, bike shelters, bike rooms, and bike corrals.
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