Where to keep a bike?

Blinkz · 11 Feb 2011 at 14:37

Hey guys,

I've had my bike licence for a year and sadly I've still not bought myself a bike. The main issue is that I've no where to keep it. I live in a block of flats and have a single allocated car parking space where I have to park my car and there is no other space to keep a bike. Any suggestions?? Where do you all keep your bikes?

Bat · 11 Feb 2011 at 14:42

You've not got much choice unless you can rent a garage nearby. Out on the street or in your parking space ideally chained to something solid with a big fat chain.

I think if I were in your position I'd be looking at an undesirable bike and something to anchor it to.

Morbius · 11 Feb 2011 at 14:55

I rent a garage. It's in the next road from me, but I'm quite happy with it.

apatia77 · 11 Feb 2011 at 15:45

Depends where you live, some people just keep their bikes outside and their bikes are fine and never get stolen but preferably you want to chain it (using some good chain to something unmovable).

I keep my bike in a garage but if someone wanted to steal it that would be probably no issue for them at all.

Look around and see if there are any bikes left outside, perhaps even call local police and ask if they know about the crime rate in the area you live.

eidolon · 11 Feb 2011 at 17:52

Is the parking space not big enough for both car and bike? I manage to keep my car and bike in the garage, it's fairly tight but they fit.

Blinkz · 14 Feb 2011 at 11:06

parking space I think would be too tight but I'll check. There also isn't anything solid to chain the bike to near my parking space. There is a few things around the car park but no where I think that a bike would be able to sit

LoGaN_TnT · 14 Feb 2011 at 19:31

Put a chain on the back wheel and leave it in the space

domthecondom · 14 Feb 2011 at 21:09

chain it up

Blinkz · 14 Feb 2011 at 23:15

Is just a chain around it much of a decoy? Could just lift it into a van with a couple of guys?

Bat · 15 Feb 2011 at 08:24

Blinkz said:
Is just a chain around it much of a decoy? Could just lift it into a van with a couple of guys?

It'll deter opportunists, but if someone wants the bike enough they'll get it.

I would ensure my bike was pretty undesirable if it had to live outside.

apatia77 · 15 Feb 2011 at 12:19

A lot of people keep their bikes under a cover when left on the residential roads/parking spaces over night. Some bikes I see in London are covered for months sometimes and never get stolen.

bloodiedathame · 15 Feb 2011 at 15:23

I always have the steering lock on and a big orange disc lock on the front. If someone wants to nick your bike and they know how, it's going to go regardless of the measures you put in place.

GiT · 15 Feb 2011 at 21:57

I slot my bike in my single space next to my car. Always cover it up. It is alarmed, but my last bike wasnt and just stuck some big locks on it. I have got a disc lock, and I think you can get them cheaply and alarmed now. A decent cover helps as its out of sight.

Blinkz · 16 Feb 2011 at 00:07

How do you manage to fit a bike and car into a single space? Mine is too small

kippermitten · 16 Feb 2011 at 14:58

Could you put a Ground Anchor in your parking space? That would help.
Also, the oxford cover i got last week has holes lined with nylon tape so one of my locks goes through the cover and through the front wheel, I then have a kryptonite lock on that back wheel as well. I live near Lewisham btw, ok its a quiet street but still, the GSXR lives outside on the road a lot, has a datatool rather loud alarm/immobiliser which would wake me up, ok itl drain the battery but id hear it.

GiT · 16 Feb 2011 at 22:49

Blinkz said:
How do you manage to fit a bike and car into a single space? Mine is too small

Ahh, my space is quite wide so I have enough room fortunately. At a squeeze I could just park my bike across the front of my car also which is another option? Depends how long your car is I guess. I have seen some people find a space near a lamp post next to a curb and chain theirs to that!

Kezmo · 17 Feb 2011 at 15:45

Im moving in 2 weeks and my bike will have to be parked outside infront of the house, i have a decent cover, just bought a xena alarmed disc lock from amazon for £30 for the front wheel and ive picked up cheap on ebay an abus wall anchor and abus chain which will be used on the rear!

helpimcrap · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:38

if you live in flats park it out the front and lock it up with a chain. you can park a bike anywhere.