HELP ME TACKLE BIKE CRIME!

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nickallen1984

New Member
HI,

I am trying to develope a new product to tackle bike theft. I have been extencively researching the internet and other sources to find information about theft of bikes and theft from bikes (wheels/seats/etc.).

The area that i am looking into the most is covering - i.e. covering wheels with a steering wheel lock type clamp as seen in cars. The other idea is a slash proof bag like the 'Pacsafe' bags (eliminates bolt cutter attack and protects parts).

What do you think?

also -

how much would you pay?
Do you think it would be too bulky?

Do you have any other ideas? - think outside the box!

Any info would be amazing!!

Thanks

nick
 

Tharg2007

Veteran
Location
Manchester
how about a large brick structure with doors for easy access and some living accommodation in it so you can keep an eye on said bike, maybe even some things to pretty it up like a garden front and rear and some paint here and there?
 

Tharg2007

Veteran
Location
Manchester
how about something like this
ball_and_chain.jpg
 

Tharg2007

Veteran
Location
Manchester
heres for thinking outside the box, how about rather than a lock, redesigning the bike so it dismantles into the smallest of pieces and then reassembles into something like a suit for work
 

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
I'd think it would be too bulky. The problems with bike security are:

i. since a bike is (relatively) light, you need a security device to attach to a heavier or secure object itself (think railing, metal post, etc).
ii. any device that is used to secure the bike has to be relatively lightweight and packable as you can't carry that much on a bike or would want to.

Pretty much this means chains/cables of some type. Of course, I can't see any reasonable alternatives (one way of securing a motorcycle is to use a wheel or steering lock, but again, that doesn't mean you can't carry a bicycle away!) but I'm sure that's what everybody says before a new innovation. The only thing I would think might be nice is some sort of frame mounted lock that is set in place and is easily carried (thinking along the lines of a device mounted to the top tube and has a retractable cable -but even then I'm not sure I'd ever buy a lock with a cable unless it was for a fairly safe area -this then gets into a limited market.)

Edit: just thought, when I'm touring and I'm really loaded up, I sometimes find it frustrating to lean the bike up -the front weight turns the handlebars. Perhaps you need to think about a security device that serves more than one function? A front wheel steering and combination wheel lock would serve 2 purposes: allow a touring bike to be easily leant against a wall, as well as providing low level security. Again, limited market though with limited functionality.
 

Tharg2007

Veteran
Location
Manchester
wafflycat said:
What's with the sudden influx of 'help me I'm a student/designer/developer' type posts?

er yea hi, can someone come up with an idea for me to "invent" so I can make some money please, Thanks. :smile:
 

Danny

Legendary Member
Location
York
IMHO you are onto a bit of looser with this. There are already dozens of different sorts of locks and anti-theft devices on the market, and I'm not sure that any of your suggestions really sound at all sensible

Either they are going to be too big and bulky to easily carry around, or else they can easily be cut open with a pen knife.
 

Tharg2007

Veteran
Location
Manchester
i have another idea, how about a special cable lock that works like a switch when tampered, you then mount a box on the back of the bike and inside is a concealed pitbull, when the lock is messed with the pitbull is released and the thief is chomped
 

just jim

Guest
In all seriousness, a hand held Nanonic Plasmoid Generator (about the size of a Weetabix) which can project localised force field, or cloaking device over the bicycle would be highly desirable. You could also go down the A.I route. A bicycle which is quite literally self-aware could also fend for itself using a bicycle pump. We'll get there.
 

Maz

Guru
Hi nick - I think your ideas would be too bulky to be considered by most cyclists.

I was thinking along the lines of a Sheffield stand which had a built in lock, that 'somehow' clasped the bike on the toptube 'or something' and, being of tubular steel would be more of a deterrent than a cable.

I'm sure it would've been done by now if it was viable.
 

HF2300

Insanity Prawn Boy
wafflycat said:
What's with the sudden influx of 'help me I'm a student/designer/developer' type posts?

Suspect they've all been set the same project at college.
 

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
HF2300 said:
Suspect they've all been set the same project at college.

Yup, and since they're asking nicely I think its only fair to carry on answering.

Tackling bike crime you say? Well, its kinda the same as car crime in my book. You can have the best locks and alarms in the world but someone will still get past it... or at least let your tyres down.

The best way to tackle bike crime in my view would be to encourage the Police to take it as seriously as they do car crime. For many people cycling is their form of transport - if that suddenly disappears its more than an inconvenience, not to mention the immediate cost (even if covered by insurance).

Cops seem to recognise that when talking about cars and actively keep an eye out for them (although admittedly cars are more easily identifiable) but almost seem to forget about bikes after they have been recorded.
 
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