When it’s time to park your beach cruiser bike, you will want to secure your bike as safely as possible. This begins with selecting a place to park. You will want to park in an area with plenty of pedestrian traffic, since pedestrians are more likely to see theft and this tends to discourage bike thieves. When selecting a place to park, look for an immovable object like a pole or bicycle rack that is sufficiently tall or designed in such a way that a thief cannot lift the chain over the immovable object. Also, look for a space that is relatively dry to discourage rust.
Once you have parked your beach cruiser, secure the lock high off the ground so that it cannot easily be crushed. Close the bicycle lock's shackle around the handlebar or seat support. Do not secure just one part of your bike that can be easily removed. Secure both wheels as well as the frame with a cable or chain – some thieves are just as happy to steal your tires.
Make sure that you remember where you parked and when. You don’t want to lose your beach cruiser bike and if your beach cruiser is stolen, knowing exact locations is important. Before you walk away from your beach cruiser, make sure that you check the lock and the chains to ensure that everything is secure.
Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof way to ensure that your beach cruiser bike is not stolen. Bike thieves often travel with special tools that allow them to break locks and chains. A determined thief intent on stealing your beach cruiser will usually find a way to do so. However, the following tips can help:
1) Avoid leaving your beach cruiser bike outside overnight or for very long periods of time. This gives a thief plenty of time – and possibly the cover of night – to get to work. If you are staying at a friend’s house for hours, for example, ask to store your beach cruiser in the closed back yard or in the garage.
2) Try to place your beach cruiser where you will see it. For example, if you are eating at a café, park your beach cruiser where you will see it from the café window.
3) Avoid parking your beach cruiser so that it is secured to handrails or secured near stairs. Your bike may be removed for safety reasons.
