Owning a bike in South Beach

[Jess]

A member recently PM'd me some questions about owning a bike in SoBe:

1. Bike Theft: I hear the bike theft is fairly rampant in South Beach. My question is, what kind of lock do you use or recommend? I currently use a Krypto U-Lock and only lock my bike to something I know can't be sawed off (parking meter usually). BTW, even in Boston, I don't lock my bike outside overnight, so not planning on doing that in South Beach.

2. Bike Theft 2: Do people steal parts and such from bikes that are too difficult to steal?

3. Riding around South Beach: I've heard various stories regarding Miami drivers and most have not been good. So, in your opinion, how safe is it to ride a bike on South Beach? What about Miami in general? Do you ride on the road or on the sidewalks?

4. Bike Shops: Are there any good bike shops on South Beach?

So here are my answers,

1. Bike Theft is HUGE in SoBe. Get a D lock, or the alcatraz one. They will still attempt to steal it anyway. I have come back to my bike where they have been stood with the bolt cutters, ready to take it off. Never leave it out overnight, take it in your apartment if you can.

2. Yes, people will steal wheels and seats. My friend came back to just the frame on her bike last month. But again, if you leave it out overnight somewhere, this will happen.

3. I love riding round SoBe. I don't find the drivers a problem really. I do however, find the roads a problem! Many have huge potholes and bumps. I tend to avoid a few roads for this reason.

4. There are a few bike shops but the best in my opinion is the one on the corner of 5th and Washington. It's run by local guys who have been there for years. Fritzs is good, but too many tourists make it more expensive, and I like the one on 5th. (It's next to CVS.) They always pump up my tires too for free

The main thing about owning a bike here is to get a good lock and don't leave it somewhere overnight. The benefits of having a bike far outweigh the cons about losing one.

[rtoledo71]

Regarding the parts, what about wheels or seats that don't have quick releases?

None of the parts on my commuter bike are attached using quick releases. You need an allen wrench or a wrench of some kind to remove them. Not that this will stop anyone but are you less likely to have your stuff stolen if you bike is setup this way?

When I lock my bike here in Boston, I only lock the frame and front wheel to whatever it is I am locking the bike to.

[Blackford Oakes]

Over the weekend, I didn't see or feel any of the riding issues or concerns. I did have an instance where I had to lock my bike and go fancy free. I only secured the back wheel. The funny part was I just bought a six pack. As I was locking my bike, the bag of beer slipped and hit the chain crank. Two beers exploded. Instead of walking around, I left the wet bag of beers next to the bike, thinking they'd be gone when I got back. Well... welll. What a suprise ! I killed two off at the beach before I went back to my room.

[Matt Meltzer]

I've biked around the city a lot, and I would recommend riding on the sidewalks for like the first week or so until you get comfortable. Pedestrians here are about as bright as the drivers, and a lot don't speak English so the may not understand "On Your Left" if you are trying to pass. But once you get comfortable with your way around, go in the streets. Just don't be like the jackass in front of me today who took up a whole lane on his bike. Drivers here don't much care if you fall over because of them, so try and stay out of their way.

Similarly, I own a sport bike so my shoes are clipped in. If this is true of your bike, don't even think about trying the "slow down at the light" approach that you can in some cities. Just accept the fact that you'll do a lot of clipping in and out of your pedals. People run lights here all the time, and they also do not signal when they turn. So best to stop and restart to make sure nobody hits you.

[rtoledo71]

UtS: That's not really surprising. I think most people would leave beers on the street. I've seen six packs left on around my neighborhood. God only knows where that stuff came from.

Matt: I have to deal with college kids every year and even they don't understand English. They are the bane of my existence here in Boston. So, I think I'll fit right in when it comes to dealing with clueless pedestrians.

I do have clipless pedals on both my bikes. My road bike has road pedals and the commuter has MTB double sided pedals. My biking style is more defensive so I just assume no one sees me. I started riding regularly here in 1995 and I've had minor close calls but I've never been hit by a car. Knock on wood.

I guess my only concern is having enough space to ride on the street. I read somewhere online that cops actually give tickets to cyclists who take to much of a lane. While it would be nice to have a bike lane, I only take up a lane when it's absolute necessary. I can get used people's crazy driving styles, but it would be nice to not get harassed by the cops for trying to be safe.

[jefe64]

Matt's comments are spot on. You need have no fear of the police giving a damn what you do, or for that matter, what happens to you while riding your bike. On the other hand, drivers here are far worse than you can imagine. Ride very defensively, and wear a helmet.

[SunKissed]

I have seen bikes missing tires AND their seats. If I were to buy a bike I would keep it inside my apartment at home and when locking it up don't leave it there for long. I'd run a thick chain through the frame AND both tires. Its sad when people steal. I'm from NY and there you can get a ticket from riding on the sidewalk. It annoys me when people ride their bikes there, or skate boards there. Try the street (as bikes have the same rights as cars) and on Washington Ave there is a nice shoulder in the middle to ride in. Be careful, there are a lot of drunk/high drivers as well as those that are just plain stupid or don't care.

[zekedad]

I second all the comments above (especially on theft, since my bike was stolen while I was in Publix for 15 minutes). One other alternative that is supposed to be coming to SB next month is the bike sharing program. It will be great if it actually arrives (I've signed up for the mailing list & haven't heard a peep in the past 2 months...)

DECOBIKE Miami Beach | Bicycle rentals location

[coach]

The key is to get a bike specifically for biking around town. Get the cheapest thrift store bike you can possibly find. It's not like you are going far or fast on it. If your lock cost more than your bike, you have done it right.

However, I really do not see the point of biking around south beach. We have talked about it, but walking is way more fun. You get to see the scenery more, nothing is very far, and you can have a nice little chat while you wander.

Also, remember that the likelihood that you are going to live on the ground floor in South Beach is very low. That means lugging your bike up and down the stairs/elevator. Easier to just walk. If you really need to get around faster than walking, get a longboard or rollerblades.

[sunaddicted]

We took two old bikes down with us and left our better bikes up north. So far we have been lucky. When we were wondering what bike locks to buy down here someone posted youtube videos on how to break them, if I remember it took about 40 seconds to cut the best lock available. So I recommend you get an old bike and lock it as best you can. If it is stolen its no big deal. We have used the sidewalks but some are really jammed like Ocean which is full of camera toting and photographing tourists who take up the whole walk, and they usually don't speak English or Spanish.

A real nice and safe ride is from MB to Miami on the Venetian Causeway, little traffic and great scenery. We have done that and gone to Bayside. I just wonder what to do with the friggen helmets. I think our helmets are worth as much as our bikes and I am afraid to leave them so I usually skip wearing them. This is really stupid for me to do because I was hit once while riding a bike and the helmet saved me from a head injury.

[rtoledo71]

Jefe: Own two helmets and I ride defensively. Just have to get used to the driving style there.

Sunkissed: so do thieves take wheels even on bikes that don't have quick releases? Same goes for seats? Here in Boston, thieves only take unlocked, quick release wheels. They don't bother with wheels that have nuts on them.

zekedad: what kind of lock did you use and what was it locked to?

coach: I already own two bikes so not much choice right now. I'll have to be extra careful. Also, considering the recent flooding, I would prefer a second floor apartment. I carry my bikes of 3 floors already. Will be nothing new to me. I'll do plenty of walking as well, but there are times when the bike will be faster. It's a single speed bike so I can't go that fast to begin with.

sunaddicted: It seems I have to get a better lock to begin with. It's possible my Kryptonite U-Lock might not be up to the task. Kryptonite has a new NYFU lock which might be better suited for the rough streets of South Beach. I'm more worried about the parts than the frame. I'm just wondering what makes a bike desirable to a thief. It's easy to spot here since I've been here so long and know the warning signs.

[Blackford Oakes]

It's no big deal people. This is the second thread regarding bikes in Miami Beach within one month. Whatever ever happened to Common Sense ? It's that simple. Geez !

[Jay2010]

It's no big deal people. This is the second thread regarding bikes in Miami Beach within one month. Whatever ever happened to Common Sense ? It's that simple. Geez !

Well said UTS! I think this topic has pretty much run its course. Common sense is the real winner here, no advice on what bike lock you should use will help you when you're staring at the spot your bike used to be.

My advice... get like 10 bike locks. Better yet, get a pitbull or some other angry ass dog to tie to your bike whenever you leave it anywhere. That way, your bike will be the safest in South Beach!

[rk]

One other alternative that is supposed to be coming to SB next month is the bike sharing program. It will be great if it actually arrives (I've signed up for the mailing list & haven't heard a peep in the past 2 months...)

DECOBIKE Miami Beach | Bicycle rentals location

Thanks for the link. I signed up for the news updates. It will be interesting to see how it works out, esp as relates to vandalism/theft and whether such a program can pay for itself without becoming another burden for taxpayers. There's a nice map showing all the bike stations, it would be nicer if the map could show safe biking routes also.

[rtoledo71]

It's no big deal people. This is the second thread regarding bikes in Miami Beach within one month. Whatever ever happened to Common Sense ? It's that simple. Geez !

Sorry to have ruined your day. I did search through old posts and none of my questions were answered. This topic was meant to be a private exchange, but it ended up here. I didn't think it would cause you such a headache.

For the record, yes I use common sense. However, common sense in Boston will probably not apply to South Beach. I asked specific questions to get a better idea of what I need to do to secure my bike. I know that if a thief wants it, they'll take it. I don't need to make it easier for them and that's why I'm asking all these questions.

[Jess]

To both Jay and Under The Sun, please may I remind you that this is a thread under General Discussion, where no thread is off limits. I actually posted this topic, as a bike owner it is never not relevant in South Beach. If you have read about it before, then ok, but please bear in mind the many new members we have who join us weekly and will not find or know about the old threads.

Rtoldeo, ask as many questions as you need. The forums are so helpful to people who do not live here yet, they helped me before my move and I fell in love with the site so much that I now work for them! As for biking here compared to Boston, I can imagine it would be very different

[rk]

Exactly!

[Blackford Oakes]

Jay2010 - I believe we just got yellow carded.

Love ya Jess

In the end, all you need is sunscreen riding a bike in Miami Beach. If you bike in beantown, don't venture inside the Big Dig. Regular universal laws and common sense still apply.

[Jay2010]

Jay2010 - I believe we just got yellow carded.

Ooops! I didn't mean to offend, sorry Jess

A yellow card it is. Does that mean if we get another yellow we get a ban from the next inevitable bike thread on here?! LOL

My advice still stands, get a big ass angry dog to attach to your bike when you leave it outside a shop, it'll work everytime!

Alternatively, you could try this....



Looks pretty secure to me.

[Jess]

LOL, I love that photo!!!