Bikes...

[smoc90]

Hi. Another question! Do most people use bikes? My sister in college had her bike stolen, even with a sturdy lock. She never found her bike ever again... :( Will that happen to me at Oberlin?

Thanks!  

Comments

[natasha_fawn]

Lots of people use bikes. That said, you certainly don't need a bike. You can walk pretty much anywhere on campus and most places in town within 10 minutes, and it's only 20-30 minutes to the grocery store. A bike is faster, though. Bikes on campus don't usually get stolen if they're locked. If you leave it unlocked somewhere (even for "just a minute while I run into the mail room") someone is likely to walk off with it. Sometimes things get stolen off of bikes though (headlights, seats). A sturdy U-lock or thick chain will keep your bike safe, and a cable around the seat will protect that.

[procris]

I never saw this at Oberlin, but at bigger universities (ie, The University of Texas) they recommend using a double-lock system, with a U-lock and a chain-lock; the U-lock should have a flat key, not a round-one (the round ones can be jimmied with a pen in under 10 seconds). If you're worried, I'd go that route-- you'd definitely be one of the most secure.

That said, I had a 1955 Murray at Oberlin, and it was never stolen. It was registered with Safety and Security (colors: "Teal and Rust"), and I used a chain lock with a combo. Who needs gears in Ohio? It's flat!

[stadtpfeiffer]

I brought an old bike from home once, but it broke within a week and I didn't really miss it. Sure, it's faster, but it's also colder. Nothing's very far apart, anyway, unless you live on south campus and go to the gym a lot, or eat in Old B. Stolen bikes do make up a large portion of the security report, but I think the percentage of bikes stolen is small, especially if they're locked. Don't bring a bike you care a lot about, because Winter will hurt it anyway.

[cutekittentits]

I have to disagree with the above folks, in that I think there's a really high chance of bike theft at Oberlin (although I was there three years ago--maybe things have changed?). I had three bikes stolen, all locked up, registered, etc., and I definitely knew other people whose bikes were stolen also. At the same time, having a bike is really useful for getting around. My advice would be to buy a used bike cheaply, lock it up well, and not be too sad if it gets stolen. :)

[ahava57]

Having a bike at Oberlin is awesome, and I completely recommend it. I don't however recommend bringing an expensive one from home. You can rent one from the bike co-op for really cheap, or buy one at the bike auction, which happens in September. I got my bike at the auction for $25 and I use it all the time.
About theft- I left my bike unlocked in front of the student union for 2 nights and it didn't get taken, but I know other people who have had their bikes stolen despite being pretty securely locked- it probably depends on how nice your bike is, and also luck.