Safe place to lock bike by union station

I have to visit my parents this evening where is the safest place to lock a bike up around Union Station?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ishnock aka the blue baron on December 4, 2009 at 5:39pm

No postulation here.

If you were given two places to lock up your bike- those 2 places being Michigan ave or in an alley in the loop,which one would you select?

i'll take being out in the open all day long....

H3N3 said:

However, with a bike being locked up in a busy section, the greater chances you have with someone witnessing your bike being stolen or tampered with,or possibly scaring the bike thief off......
Well, that's what I would have said before starting the registry and sifting through 1000+ reports, and that assumption is specifically why the registy polls for descriptive location information (in front of open business, closed business, etc.)
Surprisingly, actual real-world evidence has not borne out the validity of the above assertion as anything more than an unsupported personal opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Roach on December 4, 2009 at 8:01pm

Two u-locks is always a good idea. I leave my bike, mostly not flashy, locked up outside almost every night with two Kryptonite Evolution locks, a mini and a series 4. My next purchase will be one of these.

Adam said:

I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?

Thanks for you input everyone I think you've helped me decide on a gift to ask for the holidays... a second U lock!

my commuter is not to flashy it's a black redline 925 (great bike btw) but seems like any bike is a target...

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Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on December 4, 2009 at 8:52pm

Given, this thread has wandered OT from Union Station... If I was to park on Michigan Ave. to go to Union, I would expect the OP to choose a taxi or public transit instead. BUT

Why bother with Michigan Ave. at all when you have the only well-functioning bike lock building accessible at Millennium Park?

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Permalink Reply by jen on December 4, 2009 at 10:01pm

I have a new york forgettaboutit lock. Its awesome. the only downside is the weight its very heavy!

Eric Roach said:

Two u-locks is always a good idea. I leave my bike, mostly not flashy, locked up outside almost every night with two Kryptonite Evolution locks, a mini and a series 4. My next purchase will be one of these.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?

Thanks for you input everyone I think you've helped me decide on a gift to ask for the holidays... a second U lock!

my commuter is not to flashy it's a black redline 925 (great bike btw) but seems like any bike is a target...

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 5, 2009 at 8:53am

It would be great to have a West Loop bike station for exactly this reason. Between people who keep bikes at Union and Ogilvie stations and those who work nearby, I'd expect there to be a large number of potential members.

Adam said:

I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?...

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Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on December 5, 2009 at 9:55am

At the ATA member meeting Rob Sadowsky(?) mentioned that they are working with the city on a second bike parking facility like the Millenium bike parking. Does anyone know where this would be located? As Anne said West Loop near both stations would be ideal.

Anne Alt said:

It would be great to have a West Loop bike station for exactly this reason. Between people who keep bikes at Union and Ogilvie stations and those who work nearby, I'd expect there to be a large number of potential members.

Adam said:
I ended up parking my bike at the bike rack at adams/wacker without incident. I only had dinner with my folks and decided it was asking too much to park overnight... For such a "bike friendly" city it sucks that we don't have any secure public storage options near major transportation hubs etc... Perhaps the Active Transportation Alliance could push such an agenda?...