How to prevent bike loss?

[donnaeastman]

Can anyone tell me how to prevent bike loss? You see my son is using my newly bought bike and he's really forgetful when it comes to his things not to mention he is super careless. He also travels a lot using that bike and I'm afraid someone might steal it or whatsoever.

[bychosis]

1. Keep it between your legs
2. Keep it in under close supervision
3. Lock it with a decent D lock
4. Buy a cheap bike until he learns to look after it and do not allow him to use the nice bike unless 1.

[AdelaidePeter]

Can anyone tell me how to prevent bike loss? You see my son is using my newly bought bike and he's really forgetful when it comes to his things not to mention he is super careless. He also travels a lot using that bike and I'm afraid someone might steal it or whatsoever.

I'm not sure how old your son is, but if he wasn't responsible I wouldn't be letting him use "my newly bought bike" in the first place. I'd lend him an old one, or go down to cash converters and get him a cheap second hand one. My son is 19 and pretty responsible as 19 year olds go, but I'd only lend him mine very reluctantly.

Anyway, my rules to prevent bike loss are (a) always use a "D" lock (they're the hardest to cut) and lock it to something immovable, and (b) either ride an old bike, or if you have a new or expensive bike, store it somewhere secure.

(At my work I store my bike in a secure area AND lock it with a D lock. When I rode an older bike I didn't bother storing it in the secure bike shed, but I still locked it with a D lock, securing it to the bike racks. That probably wouldn't have stopped a thief with bolt cutters, but I figured (a) my old bike wasn't really worth stealing and (b) if it was stolen I could replace it).

[Thoglette]

Ditto.
There's buckets of online discussion on this topic. Sheldon wrote this, which you should read. Also have a look at the m'cycle forums, as they have the same problem.

some quotes

If you must lock your bike in an unsecured area, choose an area exposed to public view if possible.

If you use both the U-lock and the cable lock, you are more than twice as safe as you would be with either of them alone. Either type of lock can be defeated, but each requires a different large, bulky tool which is useless against the other.

There is no perfect defense against thieves. In a high-crime location, take extra steps to make your bicycle unattractive to thieves. You can easily disable a bicycle so it can't be ridden away. Taking the front wheel with you isn't much trouble if you are going to be at work all day.

Remove easily-removable items -- lights, bicycle computer, bags.

[Trevtassie]

Tell him of be wants to use your bike he needs to give you a bond equal to its value. That'll make him focus on what it's actually worth, if it hits him in the hip pocket.

[P!N20]

Put Huffy decals on it.

[Thoglette]

Put Huffy decals on it.

Then paint it like this

Sheldon's theft proof commuter

[donnaeastman]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll consider all your suggestions.