How to not get Your Bike Stolen in Tel Aviv

Before I bought my bike a number of people warned me not to do it because it would probably get stolen, but I didn't listen.  I know it happens a lot, and I know that the police don't really care about helping people recover stolen bikes, but whatever; I love riding my bike, and I'm really happy that I invested in a good quality bike that I ride every day.  I'm still worried about my bike being stolen, but because of my worry I've taken a few simple steps to prevent such an event from happening.  I recommend that all of you avid riders to the same if you love your bike as much as I love mine.

1. Buy a good quality lock
Sure it'll be expensive and possibly bulky, but what's the alternative? Buying a cheap chain lock that any bolt cutter from any hardware store could cut through.  If you're worried about the price consider doing payments (tashlumim) or buying a lock abroad if you have the chance.  I'd recommend a Kryptonite lock, and in the states the run for about half the israeli retail price .  If the weight bothers you, or if you don't like the lock rattling around you can always buy a rack or basket to hold it while you ride.  Doesn't matter if it's a chain or a U-lock, just make sure it's a Kryptonite or another solidly made brand.

2. Always Keep an Eye Out
Whenever possible, I lock up my bike in a place where I can see it.  This way if anybody comes to try something I'll see right away and jump into action.  If you're at work and you have a window, lock your bike up in a spot that you can see from your window.  Get up every half hour or so and just take a quick peak to make sure everything is good.  Simple right?

3. Lock your Bike up to a Solid Pole
This is one of the more challenging steps, as I've heard a few horror stories about thieves cutting through poles to steal a bike, but if you follow my fourth tip I don't think you'll run into this problem.  Don't lock your bike up to a tree unless it's huge and can only be taken down by multiple men with chainsaws.  Smaller city tress can easily be cut or ripped out of the ground.  Same with a park bench and a street sign.  Your best bet is a rack specifically made for bikes like the u-posts in Tel Aviv, or to a thick street light post.  The street light posts have electricity running through them, plus their really thick so most thieves wouldn't try to cut through those (For this option you have to have a chain lock as a U-lock can't fit around these poles).  If a pole is rusted, short or skinny, skip it because the pole will be easier than your lock to cut through.

4. Never Leave your Bike out At Night
This is by far the most important of my four tips.  Most of the people who I've spoken to have had their bikes stolen at night.  Even if you have a tiny studio apartment and barely any room do whatever must to make room for your bike.  Buy hooks to hang from your ceiling and hang your bike up.  You may be able to get by with a shitty lock, a weak and far away lock-up spot, but in Tel Aviv leaving your bike out at night is a bad idea.  For all of you that have had your bikes stolen I'm sorry, but if you love biking buy another one and follow these four steps to make sure your bike doesn't get stolen again.

You can also invest in a GPS chip and hide it in your seat post, but I haven't done that yet. Plus even if you do locate the bike and the cops don't come then you have to go and confront some criminals by yourself.  Not fun as they're probably not going to willingly give you your bike back.

I lock my bike up exactly how the pic below shows, one the frame and back wheel.  Keep your bikes safe and keep riding!

Courtesy of Google Images

The Power of the Hamlatza (recommendation)

When I was in the states and wanted to buy a new electrical device, car, or make any other large purchase I would often consult the literature on such products such as consumer reports. Israelis operate in a completely different way. The so often make significant purchases purely on the recommendation of others.

Yesterday (now last week)I was reminded of this phenomenon when I was doing some work at a cafe and another patron stopped me before I left to ask me about the size of my computer screen. We got to talking and he began to ask me my advice on buying a new computer. After hearing what he wanted in a computer I advised him to buy an iMac because honestly if you have the money to buy from apple (and it seemed like the money wasn't any issue for this guy) why wouldn't you buy from apple? I also explained apple care to him (don't know if it exists in Israel, but I assume it's an international maintenance program for all apple products. If I wasn't typing this post on my phone at work I might actually find the answer haha) which he really liked. At the end of our conversation, which lasted maybe three minutes it seemed like he was sold on buying a Mac. 

It's amazing how this guy, who didn't know me prior to yesterday, took serious advice from me on making an important purchase. It's like he saw that I'm a well spoken guy who is passionate about Apple products and trusted my advice that it was sound. It felt nice to have someone trust what I told them in such a short period of time. Apple, if you're reading this and want to offer me a job I'm currently open to employment offers.

In any case, for any of you who don't know it yet, the person to person recommendation in Israel has a great amount of power. If you're in business or need to promote yourself or a product recognize this power and use it to your advantage as much as possible.  In my experience Israelis will more likely go off a friend or neighbor's recommendation than literature such as consumer reports.

Beach Day in March!

This past Saturday (now two Saturdays ago) I went to the beach, and went in the water.  It's March, and I went to the beach, sat in the sun, and went swimming.  Sometimes it's like I'm living in a resort town (I sort of am), and I love it. I remember that in the states I may have had two or three days a year of truly beautiful weather (75 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight breeze and no clouds in the sky), an I'd usually be working on those days. Here there are so many more gorgeous days, and I'll have to continue taking advantage of them as much as I can :-)