It’s been some time since Toronto police arrested Igor Kenk, shutting down his used (errr, stolen) bike shop. The story made headlines around the world, or at least in the USA. While there’s a general feeling that when you leave your bicycle locked outside in Toronto you’re going to find it where you left it, there are still a lot of people who return to find their beloved bicycle is missing. Igor’s business may have been big, but it certainly wasn’t the only one in town.

Leaving your bicycle locked over night in Toronto, whether it’s in your own back yard or at any one of the thousands of ring and posts around the city, is a nerve-wracking experience. And, once you start to hear the stories of bicycles, or just parts of bicycles, gone missing in the night, well, it’s darn near impossible to sleep knowing that something you cherish could be in constant peril.

What can you do to increase the chances that your bicycle will remain where you left it in Toronto?

For starters, get a good lock and then get a second good lock as well. I have a strong u-lock for my front wheel and frame and a coil lock for my seat and rear wheel. But, just having a good lock or two isn’t going to help you. All it takes are some portable bolt or wire cutters and a few seconds and many locks can be defeated.

The next step to take is to choose a high-traffic area to lock your bike. There’s a reason that some bike racks, the ones in dark nooks or on lonely side streets, are empty. That’s because all the bikes parked there have been stolen.

And finally, consider your own bike. I’d love to own a really flashy $2,000 bike. Who wouldn’t? But, I’d also like to be able to ride that bike for years to come. Locking up a high-end bicycle outdoors, overnight in Toronto is probably akin to some forms of lesser torture. And, while I can only assume that these bicycles are targeted more for theft, it seems that any bike worth $50 to $5,000 is going to be taken if a thief has their chance. You can do what you want to make your bicycle less appealing to thieves, but by parking in a busy area and using more than one lock you’ll be doing your part for preventing theft more so than any cosmetic change to your bike ever could.

For proof just take a walk along West Queen Street West. Bicycles that are probably worth about $100 are secured to bike posts with locks worth more than the bikes themselves.

Still not sure if you’re locking your bike up right? Here’s a great video for more tips:

Hal Grades Your Bike Locking 3

And, if you’re looking for where to park your bicycle in Toronto, then here’s a collection of the unique and useful bike racks located around town:

Where We Park Our Bikes in Toronto