Sometimes when you go out with your bike, you may need to stop over at the mall, eatery, and other places unplanned.
This can happen when you leave the house without having a bite to eat. And when nature calls, you have to make a quick dash to the public restroom.
In such situations, you might not be able to take your bike along with you. You have to park it outside.
If the place has a bike parking rack, then you are in luck. But what if it doesn’t have one and you are worried about how to secure your bike?
This article will equip you with the information you need to secure your bike in the absence of a bike parking rack.
But first, let’s know what a bike parking rack is.
What Is Bike Parking Rack?
Bike parking racks are devices designed to secure your bike when you are not using it. They are different types of bike parking racks. Some are attached to the body of the building or wall. Others can be attached to the ground or designed to stand on their own.
These parking racks are mostly used in public places. But there are some indoor bike parking racks that are meant for personal use.
Bike parking racks can be made from recycled plastic, thermoplastic, steel, or stainless steel. When it comes to bike parking racks, you will hear names like Serpentine, Inverted U, Grid, Decorative, and Bollard.
How to Lock a Bike without a Rack
You may find yourself in an area where you need to secure your bike but there is no bike rack in sight. While it is safer to lock your bike to a rack, there is a way you can lock your bike in the absence of a rack. Here are some of them:
Use a U-Lock
One important accessory you need for your bike is a U-lock. This becomes very helpful when you can’t find a rack to secure your bike to. U-locks for bikes are made with different materials. It is important that you go for metal types as they are hard to cut.
Additionally, U-lock is very compact that you can take it along with you anytime you are riding your bike. It can be used to lock vital parts of your bike to immobilize it.
Alternatively, you can also make use of a cable lock. They are not as difficult to cut as U-locks, but they can still help to deter a thief from stealing your bike.
Lock the Wheels and Frame
You can secure your bike and deter a thief from stealing it by locking the wheels and frame of your bike. Locking only the wheels and leaving the frame is not advisable because the frame can be stolen. Also, locking only one wheel and leaving the other is not a good idea because the bike can still be rolled away on one wheel.
Secure It to a Pole
If you can’t find a rack to park your bike to, you can make use of poles or posts in the area. For a quick dash into a store or eatery, you can chain your bike to a pole. It’s best to choose a pole that is not hidden so that you can keep an eye on the bike. Also, a thief will not be quick to steal a bike that people can easily sight.
Chain It to a Tree
Locking your bike to a tree is another alternative when you can’t find a rack for your bike. However, don’t chain your bike to any tree. Look for sturdy tall ones that cannot be cuteasily.
Use Fences and Gates
You can also lock your bike to a fence or closed gate when you don’t have access to a bike rack. Gates and fences are strong and can secure your bike until you are ready to head back home. But first, make sure you use a U-lock or chain to secure your bike to any of them.
Can You Lock Your Bike Anywhere?
Yes, you can lock your bike anywhere. Even if you don’t have a bike rack on your car, or can’t locate a bike parking rack in public places, you can still lock your bike. When on transit or visiting family and friends, you should always lock your bike. Even when at school or work, you can and should lock your bike. As long as you have something like a U-lock, cable lock, or a chain, you can. Just attach it to any solid item like a tree, a gate, a pole, an immobile truck among others. Additionally, you should also lock your bike in your garage as thieves can break through your garage and steal it if unlocked.
Where You Should Not Lock Your Bike?
There are some places where you should not lock your bike. Never lock your bike to public property, Fire Hydrant, Subway Railings, Parking Meters, Street Signs, Bus Signs, Streetlamps etc
Tips When Locking a Bike without a Bike Rack
Park in an Exposed Area
Parking in a crowded area can make sighting your bike difficult. It also means that a thief might get access to your bike and no one would notice because of the crowd. Also, do not park your bike in an isolated place as it makes it very easy for your bike to be stolen. A thief can comfortably cut through your wire cable or even chains that you used in securing your bike in an isolated place. Instead, opt for an area that is exposed and in view. If anyone is trying anything funny with your bike, they will be detected.
Hide It in a Bush
Even when you have locked your bike with a chain or a U-lock, you can reduce its chances of being stolen by hiding it in a bush. A thief cannot steal what it cannot see. And since a bush provides a good covering, you might want to consider this option the next time you’re out with your bike and can’t find a bike rack.
Cover the Bike
Ordinarily, bike covers are meant to protect the bike when on a roof bike rack, rear-mounted rack, and when stored in the garage. It provides protection against rain, storm, dust, grit, snow, and other elements. But you can use your bike cover to cover the bike when you can’t find a bike rack. It might not offer much protection, but it’s a good way to distract people from noticing the bike.
Use both U-Lock and Cable Extension
While cable locks might not provide much security for your bike, you can use a bike extension to secure your bike accessories. Use the U-lock to lock the vital parts of your bike like the wheels and frame. You can then use the cable extension to lock the bike handle, bike seat, and other parts of the bike for added protection.
Pro Tips to Secure Your Bike where there is no rack
Park Close to a CCTV Camera
Parking close to a CCTV camera can help in deterring thieves from stealing your bike. The camera will capture anyone that tampers with your bike. And in the event that your bike gets stolen, thepicture of the thief will be captured in the camera.
Rotate Your Parking Spot
If you are used to parking in a particular spot, you might want to change your parking spot from time to time. This action can confuse a bike thief since they cannot monitor or predict where you will likely park your bike.
Install a GPS Tracker
GPS trackers can be so small that they go unnoticed. Some of them can be hidden in bike lights, seat posts, or even top caps. Some bikes come with inbuilt trackers. If yours doesn’t come with one, you can always shop for GPS tracker and have it installed on your bike. This will help you track your bike if it is stolen.
Use the Quick Release Option
Newer versions of bikes now come with the quick-release wheel feature. If your lock cannot lock both wheels of your bike, you can use this feature to remove the front wheel. It will make your bike less desirable to steal.
Conclusion
I believe you have picked one or two ideas on what to do when you can’t access a bike parking rack.
Now you can ride your bike to any place without worrying if they have a parking rack or not.
However, it is important that you get a good bike lock to secure your bike no matter where you park it.
