Lock it right, or lose it!
Every bicycle becomes it’s own getaway vehicle if left unattended!
Secure your ride properly with a durable U-lock if you plan to leave your bike – even if you’re ducking into a convenience store for just a “quick second”.
keeping your bike secure
The hard reality is that every lock can be broken into if you give a thief enough time and opportunity. Bringing in your bike with you is the safest bet, but there are ways you can still prevent theft even if you aren’t able to do that.
LOCK-UP EQUIPMENT
Get the right gear to keep your investment secure.
We recommend using one heavy-duty U-lock at minimum. While the hard reality is that every lock can be broken into if you give a thief enough time and opportunity, U-locks do far better to deter thieves than flimsy cable locks which can be easily cut through.
- You can swap out your wheel’s quick release skewers (which allow for fast removal of your wheels without a tool) and other easily removed parts like the seat post, and replace them with a locking system in which you’ll have the only key that will unlock them. HBL Staff Member Malia recommends checking out the brands Pinhead or Pitlock.
Know How & Where to Lock Up
The best lock is worth nothing if it’s not actually securing the most important part of your bike.
The frame of your bike is the bicycle, so ensure you are attaching the lock/cable in a way that secures the bike’s triangle -not just the wheels (which are removable parts)- to something solid/immovable (such as a bike rack). Check out the diagrams below from the newly released v.2 Official O‘ahu Bike Guide from the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services:
- HBL Staff Member Malia thinks the front wheel removal method + U-Lock is best practice, and means you only need to get one trusty U-lock.
Where to park?
Parking your ride where there’s higher pedestrian traffic can be a way to discourage thieves.
When parking your bike, it’s best to lock it in a location that is either visible by security or where there’s frequent pedestrian traffic. A dark empty alley where no one is looking provides a thief with a convenient place to test out your lockup job without fear of others witnessing.
- O‘ahu Bikeways Map – shows where City-owned and non-City bike racks exist in Honolulu
- UH Mānoa Campus Map – toggle to view Bike Parking & Repair Stations
BIKE REGISTRATION
Your bike should be registered (to you)!
All bicycles with two tandem wheels, twenty (20) inches or more in diameter, are required to be registered and shall be subject to a permanent registration fee of $15 to be paid by the owners thereof to the City Budget and Fiscal Director. After payment of the fee, the owner will be provided with a decal to be attached to the bicycle. The decal is to be placed on the frame’s seat tube facing the forward direction.
This is essential for your bike to be tracked if it was found or stolen. Registering your bike keeps a record of the type, serial number, and license plate of your specific bicycle.
BONUS: Plus, all bike registration dues go into the bikeway fund for the County, to be used exclusively on bicycle infrastructure & programs!
In Hawai‘i, can register your bike in the following ways:
Bicycles can be registered or transferred at Satellite City Halls, or by mail. Forms, except for the Bicycle Registration Form, are also available online. Bicycle registration is managed and administered by the Department of Customer Services (CSD). Click here for more information or call (808) 768-2540.
Motor Vehicle Control / Bicycle Registration
P.O. Box 30350
Honolulu, HI 96820-0350
Telephone: (808) 768-2540
Upon successful registration, you will receive an official registration certificate in the mail. Remember to keep that registration in a safe place.
Registration for Bicycles: $15 one-time fee
E-bikes: $30 one-time fee
- Must have operable pedals
- Motor cannot be over 750 watts (and top-speed must not exceed 20 MPH)
Buying a used bike?
If you’re considering purchasing a bicycle from someone secondhand, do your due diligence to ensure you are not buying stolen property. Look up the decal number on the bike’s registration sticker or check the serial number using the Honolulu Police Department’s online Stolen Bicycle Database!
When purchasing a bicycle from a private party, HPD advises the public to:
• Ensure that the information on the registration card matches the serial number and tax decal on the bicycle
• Check the seller’s photo ID to confirm that the seller is the registered owner of the bicycle
• Complete and submit the required documents for buying, registering or transferring a bicycle
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