QUESTIONS TO ASK:

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QUESTIONS TO ASK
DESIGN FEATURES Make sure that the design of the
lock provides functional security. Gimmicks may
look cool but will they protect your
bike? SOLID STEEL IS STRONGEST The ideal steel
is hardened against cutting yet maintains
flexibility. The U-lock is the safest lock
you can use to secure your bicycle. SERVICES
Find out about the locks past performance. Does
it have a good anti-theft record? A warranty? A
guarantee? Lifetime key registration and prompt
key replacement services for lost or damaged
keys? SIZES Do not buy a larger lock than you
really need. Thieves will utilize the extra space
between the lock and your bicycle to their
advantage. LOCKING CORRECTLY will make it even
more difficult for thieves to get their tools
into position and attempt a break.
DONTS - Dont leave a bicycle unlocked, ever!
A new bike is the most valuable to thieves
its just what theyre looking for. - Dont lock
your bike to small trees, fence posts, or chain
link fences. These items can be easily broken or
cut. - Dont lock your bike to anything posted
as illegal. - Dont lock your bike to itself
(the front wheel locked to the frame). If a
thief wants your bike, it can easily be lifted
up an carried away. - Dont position your lock
low to the ground. A thief can attack the lock
more easily and less obviously in that
position. - Dont lock your bike in the same
location all the time. A thief may notice the
pattern and target your bike (this is
especially important for commuters and
residents). - Dont make it easy! Take the time
to properly lock your bike each and every time.
Observe the bikes locked near yours. If you
make yours more secure than the others, you have
a better chance of not becoming a bike theft
victim. Thieves most often go for the easiest
targets.
VALUE How much is your bicycle worth to
you? LOCATION Where will your bicycle be stored
when you are not riding it? At school? In a big
city? CRIME What do you know about the rate of
bicycle thefts in your area and the areas you
will be riding and storing your
bicycle? SECURITY How much time, effort, and
money are you willing to invest to protect your
bicycle? ASK YOUR NEIGHBORS If they have had
any problems with bicycle thefts of if they know
anyone in your area who has? ASK YOUR LOCAL
POLICE DEPARTMENT or campus security department
about bicycle theft in your neighborhood. Many
police departments have bicycle patrols that will
know about theft in your area. Solicit advice
about how best to protect your bicycle. ASK YOUR
LOCAL BICYCLE DEALER about bicycle theft in your
area. Seek advice about the best lock for your
particular requirements and how to use it
properly.
DOs - Always lock your bike especially at
your home, apartment building, or college
dormitory. More bikes are stolen from home than
from any other location. - Lock your bike to
a fixed, immovable object like a parking meter,
or a permanent bike rack that is cemented or
anchored into the ground. The parking meter
head must prevent the thief from slipping the
locked bike over the top. Beware of locking to
items that can be easily cut, broken, or
otherwise removed. - Always lock your bike in
visible and well-lit areas. - Select a spot
where there are other bikes. The chances are
better that thieves will target single bikes
with less secure locks. - Position your bike
frame and wheels so that you will take up as
much of the open space within the lock as
possible. The tighter the lock, the harder it
is for a thief to use tools to break the lock. -
If your lock has a keyhole, position the lock so
that the keyhole is facing down toward the
ground. This makes it harder for the thief to
access the lock. - Always secure your components
and accessories especially those which can be
easily removed, like quick release wheels and
seats. Cable locks are excellent for securing
these items. - Check your lock before leaving
your bike to make sure you have secured it
properly.
FACTS - FBI theft statistics prove that bicycle
theft is on the rise - Most bicycles are stolen
from the home (yard, garage, dorm room) - Many
bicycles are stolen easily because they are not
locked at all - The next most common targets are
bicycles that are not locked with the right
type of security protection (example- a light
weight cable or small dog collar type chain
that can be easily pried open or cut). - Proper
use of your lock will make a difference USE IT
CORRECTLY. A registered and marked bicycle
will improve the chances of it being recovered
and returned to you. Be sure to get a
demonstration from a qualified professional of
how the lock works and how to use it properly.
OCU STUDENT HANDBOOK RULES AND POLICY Bicycles
a. When ridden on streets or in areas intended
for use by motor vehicles, bicycles shall observe
the rules of the road applicable to those
vehicles. b. Bicycles may be ridden on campus
sidewalks but must always be under control,
operated at a safe speed, and yield the
right-of-way to pedestrians. c. Bicycles may not
be ridden inside any university building. d.
When parked outdoors, bicycles must be in bicycle
racks. Bicycles found unsecured may be
secured for safekeeping. Bicycles parked other
than in bicycle racks may be issued a parking
citation and are subject to impoundment.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SELECTING A BICYCLE
LOCK
Select a brand name that you know and can trust.
U-LOCKS vs. CABLES What is the correct choice?
Although they are frequently used, a lightweight
cable or chain no longer provides adequate
security in most areas. REMEMBER TWO LOCKS ARE
BETTER THAN ONE. Combine a cable and U-lock or
even two U-locks, when securing your bicycle.
The more time and trouble it takes for a thief to
attack your bicycle, the less likely it is that
your bike will become a theft statistic.
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TIPS ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BIKE LOCKED UP,
ESPECIALLY AT YOUR HOME, DORM, ETC. . . IN
HIGH BIKE THEFT AREAS, TWO LOCKS ARE BETTER THAN
ONE. IDENTIFY / MARK YOUR BICYCLE Engraving,
tape, paint and other means are very helpful ways
to mark and personalize your bike. You can even
place your name, address and telephone number in
a plastic bag and stash it inside the seat post.
Bike shops will discover it when servicing the
bike and can check to ensure the bike is being
used by its proper owner. If your bike is
really special, take a picture or two. The photos
will help you identify / recover the bike if it
is ever stolen. REGISTER YOUR BIKE All police
departments recommend that you register your
bicycle. The service is usually free and will
help in you getting your bike back if it is
stolen and recovered. REGISTER THE KEY NUMBERS
with the lock company you buy your lock from.
Some companies offer a Life Time Key Registration
and a 24 hour Key Replacement Service. WRITE
DOWN YOUR KEY NUMBERS AND/OR LOCK COMBINATION AND
STORE THEM WITH YOUR BIKE REGISTRATION, PURCHASE
RECEIPTS AND PHOTOS. KEEP YOUR ORIGINAL PURCHASE
RECEIPTS AND ANY BICYCLE SERIAL NUMBERS RECORDED
IN A SAFE PLACE. REMEMBER THE NEWER THE BIKE,
THE MORE DESIRABLE IT IS TO A THIEF. BE CAREFUL
AND ALWAYS RIDE SAFELY
DONT LET YOUR BIKE GET STOLEN
REMEMBER TO REGISTER YOUR BICYCLE WITH YOUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS SERVICE IS USUALLY FREE
AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK THAT IT BE
DONE ITS YOUR BICYCLE PROTECT IT
- USE A HELMET! - LEARN, USE, AND OBEY TRAFFIC
SAFETY SIGNALS - RIDE WITH TRAFFIC, NOT AGAINST
IT - IF RIDING AT DUSK OR AT NIGHT, USE
REFLECTORS LIGHTING SYSTEMS BE VISIBLE. -
GIVE PEDESTRIANS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY - RIDE
DEFENSIVELY. WATCH FOR CARS AND CAR DOORS
OPENING INTO YOUR PATH. - DONT WEAVE IN OUT
OF SLOW OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. - SLOW DOWN AND LOOK
OUT FOR ONCOMING AND TURNING CARS AT ALL
INTERSECTIONS. - KEEP YOUR BIKE WELL MAINTAINED
WITH REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND SERVICE VISITS TO
YOUR LOCAL BICYCLE SERVICE CENTER / SHOP. -
WHEN YOU ARE NOT RIDING YOUR BIKE, KEEP IT LOCKED
PROPERLY-- EVEN AT HOME.
Oklahoma City University Security 2501 N.
Blackwelder Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (405)
208-5001 FAX [phone] www.okcu.edu/security