Can bike tools replace keys to your apt?

[lizbids]

Can bike tools replace keys to your apt?
So far, my answer's NO!! I rode for almost 2 hours in the park. I was feelin' good as I walked up the steps of my apartment...only to realize I forgot to put my keys around my neck. D'oh! And I'm usually so careful about that.
Anyway, for about 10 minutes I tried to use my Topeak attachments to slide into the mechanism that keeps the door shut but to no avail. I made what I thought were burglar noises, and it's sad know not one person peeked their head out to see if I was getting robbed. Finally I had to give up and ask a friendly neighbor for a library card, and sadly that worked a little too well (about 2 seconds of fiddling). :eek: Ahhh, the things we actually learn from movies...

[LBTC]

Yikes, yikes and YIKES!! One of my worst nightmares! :eek: Of course, at our house the dogs would be barking like it was the end of the world, but they do that whenever someone comes to the house, so none of the neighbours would probably notice.

Scary that a card worked so well! Do you have a deadbolt?

H&B
~T~

[lizbids]

ha, I know, it's a terrible feeling. The good/bad news is that my roommate totally forgot to lock the top lock...so for one that worked to my advantage. Well, I guess it's not the end of the world to call a locksmith, however, it's costly, and you end up feeling like a tool.
I think I will get a little saddlebag and stick an extra pair of keys in there in case I forget to put them around my neck as a I bike...:cool:

[PinkBike]

DH and i got home from our ride yesterday afternoon and the battery to the remote garage door opener was dead, hence we couldnt get in to the garage hence we couldnt get in to the house. We gave our neighbors a key for just this situation. But i think you have a better idea, to put a spare key somewhere on the bike - matter of fact i think i'm going to go put a key in the underseat bag right now so i dont forget!

[sulis]

I can identify all too well. I'm sorry to admit that I too have attempted to use my multi tool for tasks it probably wasn't designed for. I keep trying though because sometimes it is a successful alternative...although many times it isn't. I can't help it...its just so darn handy. :rolleyes:

[lizbids]

haha I know. I feel like MacGuyver...but a failed MacGuyver. I definintely have to pick up a new saddle bag and just stick a spare set in there. I'll wear my keys around my neck but will always have the saddle-bag keys as a backup. This way if your bike gets stolen as you try to use a bathroom, you can still get into your home :)

[CycleChic06]

But i think you have a better idea, to put a spare key somewhere on the bike - matter of fact i think i'm going to go put a key in the underseat bag right now so i dont forget!

Wow, that's such a good idea. Being locked out is always a fear of mine. I don't know why I never thought of putting a spare key in my underseat bag. Thanks for the good idea!

[freelivez2]

I locked myself out not to long ago and it was 45 dollars!!! 30 dollars more and I could of had some more padded shorts!!! ahhhh. so now i dangerously take my chances and usually leave the door unlocked or somewhere outside where I can get to them, I'm afraid of loosing them while riding? probally not the best idea?

[lizbids]

I would def keep your door locked...forget robberies. What if a really dangerous person got in and hid, waiting for you to come home? It may sound like I'm paranoid, but it's something to think about. It's unlikely...but you know what I mean.
I say, get a key you can wear around your neck and keep a spare in your saddlebag. This way if you get separated from your bike, you can still get into your house from the key around your neck...and if THAT key goes flying b/c you fell off your bike, well, you always have the saddlebag key.

[uforgot]

I learned the greatest way to have a spare key in case you accidentally lock your keys in the car. (Hey, there ARE times when we have to drive...) I was at a wedding and a woman came up to us and said she locked her keys in the car, did we have a screwdriver? Well, a screwdriver is pretty easy to come up with, she then proceeded to unscrew her license plate and behind it was her spare key.

[Tuckervill]

I would def keep your door locked...forget robberies. What if a really dangerous person got in and hid, waiting for you to come home? It may sound like I'm paranoid, but it's something to think about. It's unlikely...but you know what I mean.

That sounds extremely paranoid to me, but then I don't live in Brooklyn.

I live in a small town in flyover country. I'm getting new windows on my old house, and the salesman kept going on and on about the windows having the strongest locks available. I just laughed and said, "If someone wants in, they can just go through the door." I don't lock my doors, because I don't find it necessary. When I lived in Memphis, I did. :)

Karen

[lizbids]

Yes, that sounds paranoid to you, and I know the media blows things up, but we in NYC often hear of push-in break-ins, and God forbid, people who break in a wait for someone to come home to hurt them. I knew someone who got mugged just by walking down the street at like, 11am! So it's not as bad as the media makes it out to be, but it's a definite possibility, so...my door's always locked.:D