If you are worried about your bike, you may wonder what the police can and cannot do to it…
Can the police take a bike key?
Yes, a police officer can take your bike key, but only if they intend to impound your bike – otherwise, they do not have the authority to simply take it and leave your bike locked in its current location. That said, it can still happen, as the officer may believe that they have the authority.
If this happens, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer right away to ensure that local laws are on your side and to deter the officer from taking your key when they are not impounding or otherwise confiscating the entire bike.
Can you lock your bike to a telephone pole?
Typically, yes, this will be fine, although you should check your local laws just in case. Laws on where you may lock your bike may vary not only from state to state, but city to city, and if there are a lot of bikes being used locally, there might well be local laws in place that will forbid this.
So, the answer is ‘in most locations you can indeed lock your bike to a telephone pole, but it’s a good idea to check!’.
Where should I lock my bike if I don’t have a bike rack?
A good ‘rule of thumb’ to follow is that you should select something very TALL to lock your bike to, that isn’t going to be in anyone’s way. This might include light poles, trees, or even some fences, and it’s a good idea to thread your chain through the frame and the wheels for added security.
Avoid short poles, such as street signs, as these will be easier for thieves to simply lift and negotiate your bike away from, and try to pick a site that you can keep an eye on easily.
Too much privacy in an area where you are locking a bike is never a good idea, as it gives thieves a better chance and more time to try to steal your bike.
Can I lock my bike to a parking meter?
Check your local laws, but in most cases, you can certainly lock your bike to a parking meter, it’s just not a good idea.
Parking meters are not very tall, which makes it easier for someone to get your bike off of them, so it’s really a better idea to find a tree or a telephone pole that is higher and thus much more secure.
Are you allowed to lock your bike anywhere?
No, you can’t park your bike just anywhere, and some cities will have special rules about places such as buses or handicap signs, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local laws on the matter.
You want to avoid parking your bike in private property areas, as well, as the owner has a right to remove the bike in such cases, and if you use a creative parking spot, make sure that it is not going to be in anyone’s way.
Otherwise, you might get ticketed for your troubles, or law enforcement might even remove the bike.
Is it illegal to lock your bike to a lamppost?
In most communities, as long as it is not blocking vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and won’t affect the functionality of the lamppost, then it will be okay to lock your bike there. Even so, it’s best to ask the local authorities just to be sure.
Cities vary in their laws on where bikes may be legally parked and if you don’t check, then you might be in for an expensive ticket one day that could have been easily avoided.
Can I lock my bike to a fence?
A fence is a great place to lock your bike, provided that it belongs to the city and it’s not private property. A solid fence is hard to move and you can weave the chain throughout your bike frame and the wheels so that it will be difficult to get it without damaging city property.
Check your local laws, however, and you need to be very sure that it’s not someone’s private property, otherwise they can simply remove it and you might have a hard time finding out what happened and getting back your bike.
Is it illegal not to wear a helmet while cycling?
In most places, it’s not legally required to wear a helmet, although it is still an excellent idea. While you might never need it, in the case of an accident where you are thrown from the bike you could be hurt or even killed – especially if a motor vehicle is involved.
Check your local laws to make sure but even if it’s not illegal, we highly recommend that you wear a helmet whenever you will be cycling in public – it’s sensible and it could save your life!
How can I track my bike location?
You can purchase bike tracking devices that may be installed on your bike and in some cases, these can provide tracking using an app on your phone.
The only caveat to this is that a thief may well recognize that a tracker is on the bike, so you’ll want to shop around for something functional but inconspicuous. Otherwise, the thief will simply remove it or they might even take out the battery and sell the tracker too!
What is the hardest bike lock to break?
There are several high-security bike locks out there, with examples including the Kryptonite ‘New York Fahgettaboudit’, The OnGuard Brute Mini, and the Abus Granit X-Plus.
Each of these models has its perks, with the Kryptonite New York being touted as one of the strongest U-locks on the market, while the OnGuard Brute Mini is strong and inexpensive. The Abus Grant is not only strong but also designed to be lighter than most locks, for easy transport and durable security.
It’s best to review these and other models when making your selection and take into account the places where you usually lock your bike so that you can get a lock that will be well suited for your parking habits and likely to provide the best security.