Choosing a bike lock: The careful balance of material, strength and pick defense
Dear Annie, I just moved to Austin after graduation from a small New England school where I rode my bike everywhere. It’s clear that bike theft is a big issue here and I definitely need to upgrade my...
View ArticleHow to avoid buying a stolen bike when shopping used.
Dear Annie, Some jerk with a hacksaw cut through my porch railing and took my new commuter bike. My renter’s insurance deductible was $1,000, so I’m out $800 and I can’t afford to replace it new. I...
View ArticleThe “bike licensing” debate: an infinite loop?
Dear Annie, I feel like registration the 529 Shield is a good idea for my bike, but in doing some research it seems that a lot of advocacy groups have actively fought against bike licensing? Some even...
View ArticleBike theft stinks: from the inside and out.
Dear Annie, We have a shared bike parking and storage area in my apartment complex. We just got a note from the management company that thieves broke in and grabbed six bikes overnight! I was lucky not...
View ArticleQuick release skewers: Helping bike thieves for 90 years!
Dear Annie, Someone made off with my front wheel and I’m really angry. It’s not that it was a particularly nice wheel, but I did find it very helpful while riding. I don’t understand – why steal just a...
View ArticleUnlocking the lonely U-lock mystery
Annie – I’ve been trying to a better job with my bike locking since my brother’s bike got stolen last year. I think I have a pretty good sense for how thieves take advantage of bad locking practices,...
View ArticleAre police doing enough about bike theft?
Dear Annie, I reported my bike stolen with 529 a few weeks ago. I got an e-mail in response from 529 telling me to file a police report. My police department only takes reports by phone and I gave up...
View ArticleGPS – The bike theft silver bullet?
Dear Annie, I left my iPhone on the bus last winter and recovered it using the “Find my iPhone” feature from my computer. Seems that doing the same kind of thing for bikes would be the best possible...
View ArticleThe “other” QR – Quick Response Codes
Dear Annie, I don’t understand why there is a 7 character code on 529 Shields. Seems very 20th century. Why not join the 21st century and use QR codes to make the bike more easily scannable? Everyone...
View ArticleBut my crap bike doesn’t deserve a U-lock!
Dear Annie, My girlfriend is constantly on my back because I’m using a cable lock on my bike and haven’t bothered to register it. The bike is a complete piece of junk that I paid $50 for at a garage...
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