If you have a bike lock, and wondering how secure it is, or are genuinely worried about losing the key, you may wonder about how easy it is to get a key copied…
Can a bike lock key be copied?
In most cases, yes, but it’s going to depend on the local laws of your state. That said, barrel-type keys are easy to copy and, in some states, locksmiths will still duplicate them even if they read ‘do not duplicate’.
Provided that the locksmith has a matching blank, then the process may be done in minutes and it’s recommended that you get a copy of your key, just in case you lose the original.
What do I do if I lost my bike lock key?
The most efficient option if you’ve lost your bike lock key is to simply contact a locksmith. Locksmiths have several methods at their disposal to open just about any lock and they can get the issue resolved for you quickly.
While you could conceivably cut the lock yourself, if you don’t have your bike receipt with you when you come back with tools then you risk being arrested! Even if this doesn’t happen, some bike locks are quite resistant to cutting and you might have to call a locksmith anyway, so it’s best to simply get one involved immediately.
Do the same bike locks have the same key?
Not all bike locks are going to have the same key, but a lot will depend on the vendor. It is common for many manufacturers to have sets of key and lock combinations so that it is indeed possible for duplicate keys to be out there.
Your best defense against this is to go with a combination bike lock that you can set up or to contact the manufacturer to determine if there will be duplicate keys out there.
Can thieves break bike locks?
Unfortunately, yes, thieves tend to carry tools with them to ensure that they can get away with your bike. The most common is a simple cable cutter and this will snip through most cables in a matter of mere seconds, but you also have thieves out there with power tools as well.
You can invest in a bike tracker that you can hide on your bike in case it gets stolen and you want to get in the habit of parking your bike somewhere with high visibility when in doubt, try to keep errands brief so that it’s not left alone in a bad neighborhood for too long.
Is there a bike lock that Cannot be cut?
There are certainly more advanced lock options out there, with 3 examples being the Skunklock, the Kryptonite, and the Altor SAF.
These locks employ anti-cutting features that are going to be resistant even to power tools, but you’ll also want to choose a strong bike cable as well — after all, the lock won’t matter if they can simply cut the cable and discard it.
You should also weave the cable through various parts of the bike to discourage someone from simply disassembling it to take parts or absconding with the whole bike in this manner.
Can you cut a bike lock with a hacksaw?
Yes, a hacksaw will make short work of a cable, typically within a few minutes. They are also quite portable, so many thieves will have one handy when they are out and looking for bikes. Hacksaws are also able to easily compromise cheaper U-locks and some chains, so a strong cable and a lock that you trust are a must!
How can I make my bike less attractive to thieves?
You can make your bike look ugly. While it’s not an ideal solution, many cyclists will do just this, taking a new bike and painting it oddly or ‘aging’ it with cocoa powder so that it looks rusted and old.
If you decide to go this route, you could always have it clear-wrapped first, so that the original paint is still underneath it and you won’t lose any resale value by making your bike look unattractive to thieves.
Where do most bike thefts happen?
Bike thefts, unfortunately, may happen just about anywhere. In the United States alone it is estimated that a bike is stolen every 30 seconds, with places such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington is among the top location for this, but not the only ones.
The problem is that most locks and chains are not very resistant to a simple hacksaw or a cable cutter, so it’s a good idea to spend a little more on your lock and chain to make it difficult.
While this won’t guarantee that it won’t be stolen, making it a more difficult target than most of the other bikes helps.
How do I keep my bike from being stolen?
Spending a little extra on your security is always a good idea and some recommended practices can help to ensure that you make good security choices. For instance, you should always use a strong U-lock, and always use a bike rack when possible instead of a less-secure sign!
Don’t park your bike on the street or even the sidewalk overnight and be sure to lock the frame and wheel together – otherwise, it’s quite easy for someone to simply disassemble the bike to take all or simply part of it.
Aside from this, invest in locks with theft-deterrent and anti-cutting features and look for stronger cables, so that other less-secure bikes will be a more attractive target. Finally, consider a bike tracker. If your bike does get stolen, this will help you to locate it and you can get assistance from the police.
How do you prove a bike is yours?
You want to make sure that you register your bike with places such as ‘Bike Register’ and ‘Bike Index’, which will allow you to associate your name with the bike’s serial number, although these numbers can still be filed off.
Taking pictures of your bike is a good idea and you can also make copies of your receipts, as well as any repair orders for service so that you will have these handy.
Even if the numbers are filed off, a local shop where you’ve gotten a service may be able to help identify a stolen bike, so this strategy can sometimes help in a pinch.