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I s'pose I should introduce myself...

allusive

allusive

Warming-Up
Sep 11, 2009
12
0
Hey there!

I'm Amy, 18-years-young, Chinese-Vietnamese born and bred San Franciscan. Yeah, I know, hipster and bike messengers come to mind and I like to think I'm neither. I miss my burritos already, haha.

I moved here to Tokyo a week or so ago and will be starting university next month as a freshman and plan to walk to school and bike everywhere else. Advice on locks?

I've been riding bikes for as long as I can remember — I think I was three when I learned to ride a trike and can't wait to get out and see what Tokyo has to offer :)

学校で日本語を四年間習っていたから、ちょっと話せるよ。
よろしく。
 
welcome to TCC Amy. locks, something conspicuous, wrap around cable locks have always worked well for me. that and taking the seat post with me if I am riding my MTB. Ride safe hipster girl :D
 
you decided to study in japan? which university are you going to and why did you choose japan?
 
ongd said:
you decided to study in japan? which university are you going to and why did you choose japan?
Click to expand...

I'm gonna be attending Sophia (I think it's better known as 上智大学?) and I took four years of Japanese at my high school so I figured, if I were to major in it in the States, might as well just come here and get better teaching. That, and I homestayed here two years ago and loved it :)
 
Amy,

上智 is a great school, tho as with anyplace, a lot is what you make of it. Good luck!

As mentioned, a simple cable is fine, tho it'd vary depending on the quality (¥¥¥) or sentimental value of your ride. When you're out walking some, you might also look at parked bikes to see what others are using, and, where they are parking them. Some places you can get away with more, other places (close to stations) you'll be better off parking in the bike parking areas (where a kickstand could be an advantage).

Also, tho it won't help much if your bike disappears, it'd probably be worth the few hundred yen to formally register a bike you've brought in, simply to avoid any hassles if you ever do have to talk to authorities.
 
jdd said:
As mentioned, a simple cable is fine, tho it'd vary depending on the quality (¥¥¥) or sentimental value of your ride. When you're out walking some, you might also look at parked bikes to see what others are using, and, where they are parking them. Some places you can get away with more, other places (close to stations) you'll be better off parking in the bike parking areas (where a kickstand could be an advantage).

Also, tho it won't help much if your bike disappears, it'd probably be worth the few hundred yen to formally register a bike you've brought in, simply to avoid any hassles if you ever do have to talk to authorities.
Click to expand...

Thanks~~ yeah, most schools seem to be more about what you make of them.

I've got both a combination cable lock and an OnGuard U-Lock from home — old habits die hard. I've heard rumours from my non-riding friends that U-Locks are illegal... is this true?

Either way, thanks for the advice. But uh, one question. How would I go about registering my bike since it's not brand-new?
 
allusive said:
I've got both a combination cable lock and an OnGuard U-Lock from home — old habits die hard. I've heard rumours from my non-riding friends that U-Locks are illegal... is this true?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if there's such a thing as U-locks being illegal. I'm using a U-lock which I bought at Tokyu Hands :)

FWIW, Tokyu Hands have several U-locks on display and I've also seen some other cyclists use U-locks.

Use the lock that will make you feel safe.
 
I think they mean that the old guys who run the parking lots won`t let you lock your bike to a post, pillar or fence.
 
I have no problems at local bike parks locking any of my rides to posts or fences. In fact theone at Tsurugamine and Yokohama station will even move mamachari out of the way so people with more expensive bikes can get access to a post or securer fixing to lock the bike.

U-locks are perfectly legal, although the people that come a long and remove bikes that are parked illegally hate them as they can not cut through them. My New York Cryptonite lock proved very fustrating for the people at Shin- Yokohama station who gave up trying to cut mine as the coating kept fouling the blade.
 
Yeah mine is quiet old and checked some reviews before purchasing, fortunately its BIC proof.
 
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