Hal Grades Your Bike Locking
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.
Note: Make sure to catch the sequel!
Hal is a RIOT! He has great insight and uses humor to get his point across. More please.
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?!?"
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!
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+
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.
[...] Hal Grades Your Bike Locking [...]
[...] Hal Grades Your Bike Locking [...]
it is very useful to my life
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.
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
[...] 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 [...]
[...] gives a refresher course at [...]
Great video with good tips, but I was definitely hoping for tips on how/where to place the lock, both on the bike, and on which kind of signs/poles.
Thanks!
We love Hal and his awesome passion for our cycling/biking community's well-being. We're big fans Hal and hope to meet up with you soon!
Senan
aka GeneralKarma
KarmaArmy.com
"Like an Amber Alert for your Bike"
[...] Most Livable City - 26,763Transforming NYC Streets: A Conversation with Janette Sadik-Khan - 26,610Hal Grades Your Bike Locking - 24,750Berkeley Bike Boulevards - 23,368How to use a Bike Box - 22,249Vélib’ - 21,920PARK(ing) [...]
He didn't point out any locking jobs that have the problem I see ALL the time around the corner from me: people lock their bikes to the crossbar of a scaffolding. You can remove a scaffoling crossbar in seconds with a crescent wrench. If the bike is locked to a removable crossbar, it doesn't matter how good the lock is! It can be stolen.
Sometimes I think of removing the bar and leaving the bike standing there by itself, just so people can see how stupid they are. But I never do.