Choose a bike that thieves won't covet
Has your bike cost you a lot of money and you're afraid to leave it on a simple rack in front of your office, or even in the underground car park? The ideal solution is to buy a second bike: your beautiful one stays safe at home and you only use it during your leisure time or vacations; the other, of lesser value, you use for your bike-to-work trips: simple, with minimal equipment, it won't attract the attention of thieves.
Steering your mount properly
The second way to deter thieves is to lock your bike properly.
The U-shaped padlock is often the most reliable and, above all, the most effective deterrent for thieves. A longer padlock is preferable, as it saves many a battle. As for padlock quality, this depends on a number of factors: no padlock is indestructible, but if it takes a blowtorch and 45 minutes to break, you've made the right choice. Beware of inexpensive models, which are easily broken by a few blows with a hammer.
The place where you lock your bike is just as important as the lock itself: a good lock can prevent theft if you know where to hang it (avoid garden gates, whose bars are easy to tear off). What's more, trying to hide your bike from view by placing it in a secluded spot will, on the contrary, make the thief's job easier, since he'll be able to operate in complete peace of mind, even bringing his toolbox!
The safest way is to secure the frame with the front wheel on the rack. Never lock only one wheel! For added security, you can also use a cable lock on the rear wheel.
If your bike has front and rear quick-releases, it's best to remove the front wheel and lock it to the frame and rear wheel. The best solution is to replace all quick-releases (wheels and saddle) with nuts and bolts, or add a simple clamp.
Register your bike with Garage 529
You can also register your bike with Garage 529. Used by a number of police forces, including the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal and the Sûreté du Québec, this application helps deter the theft of your bike, and assists in its recovery should the need arise. For further details, please consult our Garage 529 application page.