Arms Race

New York City cyclists and bike thieves are locked in a virtual arms race. Rigid U-shaped locks — the urban bike-lock mainstay since the early 1970s —have been ineffective in the city since the mid-1980s, when thieves developed several methods of levering them open. In 1988, the inventor of the classic “Kryptonite” U-lock, KBL Corp. of Boston, canceled its guarantee against bicycle theft for locks purchased in New York City.

A light-duty version of the Cobra-links motorcycle lock was widely used in the late 1980s until thieves discovered its vulnerabilities. Many messengers and cycle commuters now use burdensome case-hardened chains and padlocks, often in conjunction with U-locks (on the theory that thieves are more likely to bypass a bike secured with two different devices). Indeed, as many respondents to the City Cyclist survey use two or more locks as use only one.

Still, the adage that best describes bicycle security on New York City streets is “Don't lock it, don't lose it.” While this may be fine for racing or recreational riding it is an obvious impediment to commuting and other utilitarian cycling.