Good source of free padlocks

[Oaklandishh]

I go to a college that has a high number of students that get around by biking. Because of this fact lots of bikes get stolen and have their locks cut. I have found that a really good way to get free padlocks and key style bike locks is to go around on Mondays and look on the ground for snipped locks. I have gotten about 5 in the last two weeks and although not all are in great condition it is good practice to pick older and used locks. Hope this helps some college students get locks to practice on. Please voice any concerns you might have or any other ideas?

[loki-aka]

Just hope people don't think YOU are one of the bike thieves. Imagine what someone may think, "there is that guy, again, hanging around the bike racks, and he has some broken locks with him !".

Good luck.

[globallockytoo]

UC-Davis?

I've been there (20 years ago). I think I know where you are describing.

Anything discarded is free game I reckon. Good luck to you.

[Oaklandishh]

Thanks, and yeah. It does look a bit sketchy, but I'm not too worried about it people tend to not pay attention to stuff.

[lock2006]

loki-aka is right people may think, you are one of the bike thieves
just to see you hanging around the bike racks
they would think you are one of them or you are with them
just like
when cops are looking for the bad guys and you happens to be there
they will take you in
just be careful and buy some padlocks online
or ebay good luck.

[Thisguy]

I believe, but I'm not entirely sure about this, Kryptonite asks for the lock or part of the lock sent to them when making a claim on the anti-theft protection plan/insurance (proof of failure). Just be sure you're not hosing someone on that claim... the thieves don't usually take the now broken lock.

You might try getting in contact with the facilities personnel to see if you have them after they have picked them up etc...

[UEDan]

Heres a suggestion, Self Storage facilities.
I posted an ad on craigslists wanting used keyless/cut locks. A nice lady replied to me, she works at a self storage place. We had a quick chat and that was that. She gave me a high school style locker lock and a Public Storage Abus Diskus rip off.

[jwhou]

Why not just put out a bin labeled, "Please put broken locks here." and pick it up periodically or check with the Campus lost and found or custodial staff to see where they put them. After all, if it was just left around, they would eventually pick them all up anyways so just collect them from them. That way it's all above board and you get them from the entire campus.

[Evan]

Broken locks ?

Stolen bicycles ?

Sounds like you are either finding the locks before the bicycle is discovered missing by its rightful owner or you have some really sloppy campus police officers there...

You are taking evidence of the theft away from the crime scene...

I would try to find other methods of locating used/cut locks like a couple of the others here have said...

~~ Evan

[lsphinx]

Probably a good way to other people understand that you are not a thieve is to wear 'cool' t-shirts with locks, or saying lock fan, or lock collector, even lock picking (I don't think this last one is a good idea).

Well, at least people would think "Ahh! I just collect the locks, so cute" kidding...

[nostromo]

Can you ask the Campus Police if it's ok to pick up the snipped locks? With their approval you can easily let people know that you are an 'applied engineering' major and if they still make a beef after that, who are they going to complain to? The people that you already have permission from, right?

[UnlockD]

It's a bit sketchy, and as for the 'stealing evidence' I believe he's correct. Tool marks can be traced, if the tool is located on the thief.

[tballard]

Personally, I would steer VERY clear of this, simply because the effort required to explain your way out of misunderstandings might be significant. I can easily imagine someone who had just had their bike stolen jumping to very unfortunate conclusions if they observed you. Some who feels violated is a lot more likely to disbelieve you, and may react out of proportion.

The college campus near me has hundreds of really interesting locks left on racks which have obviously been abandoned, but I wouldn't dream (okay, I might dream, but never act) of going near them without a uniformed official nearby,

[jwhou]

Personally, I would steer VERY clear of this, simply because the effort required to explain your way out of misunderstandings might be significant. I can easily imagine someone who had just had their bike stolen jumping to very unfortunate conclusions if they observed you. Some who feels violated is a lot more likely to disbelieve you, and may react out of proportion.

The college campus near me has hundreds of really interesting locks left on racks which have obviously been abandoned, but I wouldn't dream (okay, I might dream, but never act) of going near them without a uniformed official nearby,

That's always been rule number 1 on campus. Make sure you have the campus police on your side. When I was in Engineering, we had an unofficial club called HRC (Hell Raising Committee) and one prank involved a great deal of concrete so campus security was convinced to act as crowd control while the prank was under way. There's a lot to be said about at least appearing to be official.

[UnlockD]

I finished my Community Service hours (necesary for graduating in Ontario) at a local landfill (Please don't laugh )
And by the end of it, I came home with at least 7 or 8 locks that work great, and probably about 100 keys.
I'm sure if you popped in, and asked, they wouldnt mind if you took them off old doors, etc.
Just my two cents.