What is the lowest form of life? A bike thief, of course. There are, no doubt, other disagreeable types higher up on your list, but when your bike is swiped, it is a gut punch. What is the best way to prevent it?

An old friend of mine was visiting SF recently from beautiful Boise, Idaho. He is a bike fanatic. My potato-head buddy and his wife once lived in SF. He worked at the Exploratorium. But, they scoped around The West about 25 years ago, landed in Boise and have never left. On their recent visit he went back to the Exploratorium via his Surly to visit his old workplace and check in with friends. After a nice visit he stepped outside and BOOM, gone. The Surly got swiped off the bike rack at the Exploratorium’s front entrance, in plain sight of everyone. Although he had a half-inch braided cable and super nice, hardened American lock around it, it was basically for show, apparently. They even took his helmet. The other bikes that remained had u-locks.

After he cooled down, he starting wondering what is the best way to prevent theft? One easy step might be a simple video camera pointed at the rack and a sign on the rack that says “Hey #@!#*!!, look up, you are on camera.” My buddy did some quick research—and the WBBC did a bit also—and Kryptonite’s New York Fahgettaboudit® U-lock tops the list for the best lock. You have to love it just because of its name. Apparently, if you combine that with a nasty cable, you are safe. Cumbersome to lug around? Perhaps, but if you like your ride, it is up to you. You can also read about many other creative ways to prevent theft online.

Post theft is another matter completely. Stolen bikes are basically NEVER recovered. However, Kryptonite has teamed up with Bike Revolution to provide cyclists with a free global bike registration service. It is called the Kryptonite Bike Revolution Bicycle ID Kit. Very cool. Here in SF the SF Bicycle Coalition also has some good ideas on their website.

Q: Have you ever had a bike stolen? A. Uh, yea. Q. What is your lock or theft prevention system of choice?