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April 29, 2007

Hal Grades Your Bike Locking

by Clarence Eckerson, Jr.

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Since it's officially the first week of Bike Month, we resurrected this 2003 bikeTV classic that was my first work to gain worldwide noterity in the alternative transportation world.

We hit the streets of Soho with the help of Bicycle Habitat's most famous mechanic Hal Ruzal - who humorously grades the bike locking ability of New Yorkers. Sure he's harsh, but also damn funny while dispensing useful anecdotes from his many decades in the biz. Hopefully you'll learn how to keep your bike safe and avoid a failing grade.

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    Dan Kaufman

    Hal is a RIOT! He has great insight and uses humor to get his point across. More please.

    April 30, 2007 at 4:03 pm Link # 1
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    IanD

    But Hal...my New York chain already weighs more than my bike! Do I hafta lock my back wheel to get an A?

    And to be picky - sure looks like you're walking around Nolita more than Soho, Clarence. Geography, B+.

    Best part - when the guy leans out the window and says, "I get a C?!?"

    April 30, 2007 at 7:47 pm Link # 2
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    jaysus

    Hmmm, the two bikes that are locked to the street signs (the ones made of steel with the holes in the center) should definately get downgraded as often times these signs can be removed/or the lock can be lifted off the top of the sign. Other than that exceleent!

    April 30, 2007 at 8:03 pm Link # 3
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    Clarence

    Ian:

    Yeah we were all around the area so technically let's call it SoHoNoLita! I think that is what that area was called by the Dutch back in the 1600s. :)

    But I'll take the B+

    April 30, 2007 at 8:10 pm Link # 4
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    ElizabethM

    I saw this video about two years ago and met Hal a year after that. At least I knew what to expect!

    He's a crazy man in real life, -and- he plays one on tv.

    April 30, 2007 at 9:31 pm Link # 5
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    Flagstaff Biking Organization » Blog Archive » Friday Night Movies!

    [...] Hal Grades Your Bike Locking [...]

    May 17, 2007 at 5:21 pm Link # 6
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    Flagstaff Biking Organization » Blog Archive » Friday: The Last Day of Bike to Work Week

    [...] Hal Grades Your Bike Locking [...]

    May 18, 2007 at 4:06 pm Link # 7
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    max

    it is very useful to my life

    May 22, 2007 at 11:18 am Link # 8
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    nickdigital

    I wish i would have known the importance of a New York lock when i first moved here from DC so ever long ago. Lost my first bike that way. They were kind enough to leave my cut lock though.

    May 23, 2007 at 3:26 pm Link # 9
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    Andy B

    Too bad you didn't actually go over locking a bike in the most ideal way possible. I agree with all that I saw but it still could be unclear to a total beginner.

    Peace

    June 26, 2007 at 11:25 pm Link # 10
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    Streetsblog » 1,200 Pack Town Hall for “How New Yorkers Ride Bikes”

    [...] helmet (see our previous StreetFilm here) then rode onto the stage and locked up. Moments later Hal Ruzal, NYC bicycling icon and mechanic at Bicycle Habitat, emerged from behind a curtain to pick his lock [...]

    October 8, 2007 at 10:07 am Link # 11
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    Do you really know how to lock your bike? and Do you really know how to lock your bike?

    [...] gives a refresher course at [...]

    March 4, 2008 at 9:25 am Link # 12