Unusual panniers

[tulip]

Your best bet for finding your bike still there when you get back if you must lock up in a public place is a short shank U-style lock

Exactly, and you cannot use U-locks except on the end of bike racks like the one Catrin posted. If you use the wheel wells, you cannot lock the frame, only the wheel.

[OakLeaf]

As with most things, it depends on the location.

Most of the time I don't even lock my bikes (breakfast with the club, bathroom or snack breaks). When I do, I have a cheap combination cable lock for the commuter, and an even flimsier lightweight cable for the roadie.

I certainly wouldn't do this everywhere, nor if I were going to be leaving the road bike for several hours, or the commuter overnight. But it's plenty for errands and for dinners out, in the places I ride. The people I ride with do exactly as I do, and none of them has ever had a bike stolen under these conditions.

My assumption from that picture wouldn't be that the person doesn't know what s/he's doing. It would be that the person knows what s/he's doing and where s/he's parking the bike.

[PamNY]

I love creative bike accessories. I've seen quite a few panniers like that.

My favorite (that I hope to photograph eventually) is a fender made from a liter soda bottle cut in half.

Locks depend on where you are. I use a big Kryptonite chain in Manhattan and a light cable (I call it my joke lock) in the country.

[bunny_ninja]

My locking job - no need for the end o'rack with our bike rack

U lock through frame to rack. Cable through both tires and onto U-lock. I am very lucky with that rack, but I am still nervous. Our security guard at work is always near there smoking - so that does provide a bit of safety.

[bunny_ninja]

that pic is the wallpaper on my work computer. Heh. I get to feel like I am watching it all day

[Tri Girl]

I did a cross-state bike tour a few weeks ago, and some guy had wooden panniers on his bike. I didn't get a picture- but I wish I had. They were very interesting...

I have kitty litter bucket panniers. I painted mine red to match my bike. I like them, but haven't used them in a while. They are BIG and waterproof. And ugly as sin- but that just gives them "character."

[Grog]

Here are the instructions to make them:
http://www.instructables.com/id/KITTY-litter-pannier/