Properly Securing Your Bike in the City

A bicycle is the easiest way to travel in the city if yousecured by cement.
want to keep gas in your car. It is small and you canEvery store in the city will not have bikes racks to
park it almost anywhere, however, it is not as securepark and secure a bicycle, so you might have to
as a car. When you get out of your car, you just lockimprovise. If you ride your bike to a grocery store, use
the door and go shop at the store; with a bike, it isa shopping cart and if you are going to a park, use a
completely different. You must consider where to lockbench or the fence. No matter what you choose,
the bike, the area's security level or the people nearbymake sure plenty of people are in that area so that
and the strength of the object that the bike is lockedsomeone will see if somebody tries to take your bike.
to while outdoors.If you cannot find something to tie your bike to, you
Most people that live in the city use a bike rack parkingmay be able to bring it into the store with you
area for their bike; however, these spots have somedepending on the store and its rules. Ask an employee
advantages and disadvantages. A bike rack parkingif you can bring your bike into the store, state that
space is great if you are the only one parking yourthere are no bike racks outdoors and you do not want
bike there because fewer bikes prevent tangles.your bike to be stolen. If you are allowed, do not just
Sometimes, bikes in these types of racks can fall todrop you bike on the floor and start shopping,
the side and your bike can get tangled with someonesomeone could trip. You must roll your bike down each
else's, which is problem. Suppose this happens to youraisle with you and if you need to pick up something,
bike, the only way to free it is to wait until the otherput your bike against the wall or use the kickstand.
bike owner returns; this would be time consuming andYou should not buy more than a few lightweight items
frustrating. Besides tangles, some racks are not evenbecause you have to carry whatever you buy with
secure enough and if you do not inspect themyou on the bike. When you have finished shopping,
properly, your bike could be stolen. Always check tocarefully roll you bike outdoors before riding it and
see if the rack is cemented or screwed into thewatch out for people entering the store.
ground before you lock your bike there. Screwed inThere are plenty of places to park and secure your
racks are not safe and someone could easily use abike in the city, but if you cannot find a good spot,
screwdriver and take your bike, so only use racksimprovise or bring it into the store with you.