Never leave your bike unlocked - even if just for a minute! A thief can get your bike in seconds. Here are a few tips on the best way to lock your bike:

Lock It To Something Fixed
Lock your bike to something that's permanent and not easy for a thief to take. Lock it to a bike rack, a parking meter, a metal fence or even a big tree. Don't lock it to another bike, a door handle or even a small tree. Never lock through your wheel without locking your frame. Even if you don't have quick-release wheels, a thief can unbolt your wheels in seconds. You can even take the frame wheel off if you have too.

Lock Your Whole Bike
Put your chain, cable or U-locks through your frame and both wheels.

Cross Lock
Put your lock through your metal frame and rear tire, and put the second through your frame and front tire. The best way to deter a potential thief is to use two locks. Both a shackle-type lock and a cable with a built-in lock used in combination makes a great deterrent.

Lock It In Storage
In the U.S. approximately a fifth of bike thefts occur at residences. If you keep your bike in a garage, basement, or on a porch, lock it.

Take Them With You
Remove any parts you cannot lock and a thief can grab easily; a quick release seat, horn, bike bag, pump, water bottle or lights. If removing quick-release parts is a hassle, replace them with permanent ones.

Hit it Home
Thieves can open some locks by hitting them with a hammer. But in order to break the lock, it must be placed against something hard, like a wall or sidewalk. If you use a padlock, wrap your chain or cable tightly ,and place the lock so it can't be put up against a hard surface.

Excerpt from Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips by Dave Glowacz (c) 1997 Wordspace Press