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[BIKE] question, and [Fwd: Bike lock security compromised]

Jeff Abrahamson
Sat, 18 Sep 2004 06:01:28 -0700

I'm curious what folks here think about forwarding Bicycle Coalition
info to this list.

Critical, too, is permission from the BC itself, since they own the
copyright on their email.  But several of them subscribe to this list,
and if they don't like to disseminate broadly it would be interesting
to know why.

I can set it up automatically (as long as they keep emailing me).  Or
they can subscribe the bike list directly.  But the bike list is
archived, whereas their emails apparently are not.  (Or, at least, I
haven't found reference to such archive.)

Seems like good exposure for them and useful information to the many
hundreds who subscribe here.

Thoughts?

-Jeff


----- Forwarded message from Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia <[EMAIL 
PROTECTED]> -----

Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:51:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Bike lock security compromised
To: Jeff Abrahamson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

  [26 lines, 361 words, 2324 characters]  Top characters: eiotarns

Newest Bike Locks Rendered Useless by Bic Pens

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is warning all cyclists:
Bike locks with cylindrical keys can be picked by anyone with a Bic
pen. This applies to all "Kryptonite" brand (including "New York"
locks) made after August 2002, at least some "On Guard" models and
other locks with cylindrical keys. Links to media stories, including
the NY Times, and video of how quickly a lock can be picked is at
http://www.bikeforums.net.

According to NYC bike shops canvassed by Transportation Alternatives,
newer Kryptonite brand locks with key numbers beginning with "KK" can
be opened with plastic pen casings, though locks with NBA and EGH
series keys (made before August 2002) appear to be safe. 

Locks with flat keys cannot be opened with plastic pen casings. 

If you are looking to replace your lock, buy a lock with a flat key,
such as the Kryptonite New York U-lock. If you need an immediate
solution for your New York chain lock, replace the mini U-lock with a
hefty padlock, which costs about $30 at your local hardware
store. Check with your local bike shop to see if your lock is
vulnerable or with any questions about upgrading your lock.

The Bicycle Coalition recommends that all cyclists record the serial
number of your bike (it's on the underside of the bottom bracket),
take a photo of your bike and register it with your local police
precinct. If your bike is stolen, these precautions may make your bike
recoverable or covered by renter's or homeowner's insurance.

CycleGram

On a brighter note, the September CycleGram is in the mail. Check out
the electronic version at
http://bicyclecoalition.org/CycleGram-Sept-2004.pdf.

The Light of the Moving Bikes member appreciation ride (free to
members) is Friday, October 1st at 6:30 pm. We meet at 39th and Locust
Walk, on the University of Pennsylvania campus, for a 13-mile loop
with snacks and cider at Chamounix Mansion. Rain date is October 2nd.

Alex Doty
Executive Director
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

100 South Broad St Suite 1355
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19110
United States
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----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
 Jeff

 Jeff Abrahamson  <http://www.purple.com/jeff/>    +1 215/837-2287
 GPG fingerprint: 1A1A BA95 D082 A558 A276  63C6 16BF 8C4C 0D1D AE4B

 A cool book of games, highly worth checking out:
 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931686963/purple-20
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See also http://bcgp.blogspot.com/ and http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/
  • [BIKE] question, and [Fwd: Bike lock security compromised] Jeff Abrahamson