Updates

--Bike Valet Inc,   2024.0831:

Register Your Bike:

Consider registering your bike with a local bike registry or adding a GPS device.  While this will not prevent theft, it is the primary solution to help recover your bike if stolen  (1).  

Record your serial number, take photos & register your bike with your city.  If it is stolen & later recovered, you may need the serial number to recover it.  Look for it on the bottom bracket of the bicycle & record it for safekeeping  (3).  

Additionally, you can register your bike online.  For example, Bike Index, a 501.c.3 nonprofit, & is widely used throughout the world  (3).  

Avoid Parking in High-Theft Areas:

Be aware of areas known for high rates of bicycle theft & try to avoid them if possible  (1).  

Garages:

Many bicycles are stolen from garages & store rooms.  Lock your bike securely to an immovable object even if in a secure place  (2).  

Crowds:

Lock your bike in a location visible to pedestrians or storefronts.  Years of reports have shown, these areas provide an incremental amount of additional protection agaist theft, but cable-cutting is still known to occur in front of bustling cafés or restaurants  (1,2).  

Cameras:

Don't rely on the presence of cameras to keep your bike secure.  Security footage is rarely of much use once a bike is gone, & thieves know this  (2).  

Equipment:

Cable locks should never be used as a primary means of locking a bike in a city.  

Cheap locks & cables are easily circumvented, so use a U-Lock priced greater than 50.00 USD each & one heavy duty chain lock.  This should be about the minimum required in large cities to keep a bike secure  (1,2,3).  

How To Lock:

Be sure the frame & wheels are locked to a sturdy, immovable object.  Thieves can easily steal wheels or frames if they're not locked.  For added security, use one U-Lock for the frame & rear wheel, & a cable or chain lock for the front wheel.  This makes it harder for thieves to steal just one part of the bike  (1).  

Lock to a Fixed Structure:

Ensure the structure you're locking to is securely anchored & not easily cut or broken.  Avoid flimsy bike racks or structure that can be dismantled  (1).  

Test The Structure:

Test the structure for movement to make sure it is not easily removed.  Signposts in particular can be easily removed by unbolting them, & some may be already unattached  (2).  

Position Your Bike Strategically:

Position your bike so that the lock & keyhole are not easily accessible.  This makes it more difficult for thieves to manipulate the lock  (1).  

Lock Through the Frame:

Always thread the lock through the frame & the wheels.  Locking only the wheels or the frame makes it easier for thieves to take the rest of the bike  (1).  

Secure Removable Parts:

Remove portable accessories & take them with you  (3).  

REFERENCE:

(1)   BikeLeague.org, 2024.0831.1400.utc⊕, 

http://www.bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/bikeleague/

bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/

pdfs/cops_biketheft_2008.pdf, 

(2)   BikeIndex.org, 2024.0831.1400.utc⊕, 

https://bikeindex.org/protect_your_bike, 

(3)   San Francisco Police, 2024.0831.1400.utc⊕, 

https://SanFranciscoPolice.org/stay-safe/crime-prevention/

prevent-bike-theft

--John Thielking,   2024.0707:

New!  

We now have a bike parking facility in downtown Eugene at ( 40 E Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401 ).  

The hours of operation are ( Saturdays, 10am to 6pm ).  

There is no set price for storage of your bike.  

Of course donations are welcome.  

Charging of ebikes is also offered at no extra charge. 

All patrons of the bike valet service receive a ( 25% ) discount on fair trade crafts which ( Bike Valet Inc. ) also sells. 

To access the bike parking service please go to the South entrance of 40 E Broadway, then call ( 458 221 2031 ) for access to the locked facility.  

Note that bikes may not enter the facility after 4pm.  

Please be sure to pick up your bike by the 6pm closing time. 

Additional thoughts from the president and only staff person at the bike valet inc office:   

I will be staffing the parking facility as I am able to.  This may result in gaps in coverage when it is forecast to be really hot outside as I don't handle the heat well and will likely be absent on those days.  

My goal is to provide as much in person valet coverage as I can.  

There's been talk of converting Bike Valet Inc into a 24/7 self service storage facility, but I'm really not prepared to take on the security challenges involved.  Also, there were enough objections raised in the discussion to dissuade the idea

So for now if you want to make a trip to downtown eugene on your bike and you want a safe place to park your bike while you hang out downtown, then call or text me at ( 458 221 2031 ) to see if I'm going to be in the office that day.  Please plan on only storing  your bike there during the day and pick it up by the 6pm closing time. 

If you would like to see bike valet inc be made available at times and days other than ( Saturdays, 10am to 6pm ), then please call or text me at ( 458 221 2031 ) and if I get enough replies I may decide to offer that.

Thank you, 

John Thielking,  President of Bike Valet inc.

Ps:

I am planning on being in the office on a more regiular basis ( Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm ), beginning October 1st.  

So if that interests you please be sure to let me know.

Pps:

I'm going to try to apply for a grant of at least $100k which would provide enough funding to hire people to staff the 40 e Broadway office 12 hours per day 7 days per week 52 weeks per year.   

An intermediate goal is to get 100 fundly subscribers at $10 per month.  

This will allow us to hire someone to cover Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.

What do I want for my Birthday fundraiser?  How about if 100 people sign up to contribute $10 per month to my fundly link at ( https://BikeValet.org ).  

If that happens, then I would be able to afford to hire help to cover Saturdays from 10am to 6pm at the bike valet inc valet bike parking facility at ( 40 E Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401 ).