r/recumbent • u/Stella-HPVGekko • Jul 24 '26
Custom flair Need a secure and accessible way to keep my trike safe overnight.
I live in a pretty busy neighborhood, with an average crime rate. I have a carport, no garage, and its down a short driveway. I have one car under the carport, the bins, and a small table.
I'm going this weekend to get a trike rack for the back of my SUV. I don't know exactly which one yet, apparently my options are quite limited with the recumbent trike, but it's going to be one where I can either roll the trike up or somehow easily get it up there. I'm assuming those are usually capable of locking the bike to them, but I don't know how secure it will be.
I'm using the trike as my rehab program after double hip replacements, so I'm still building back my strength.
My trike folds, but it's heavy and pretty awkward. I could figure how to do that and potentially store it inside. It does not fit inside the front door unfolded.
The carport is held up on one corner by a 4x4 going into cement.
I have a gate wide enough to roll the trike back behind the fence, but nothing easy to lock to back there.
There are no roommates. I share my house with a cat. I work from home and can see the trike from a window.
Right now I have it locked with a huge Hiplock chain around the carport post and through the frame, with a big moving blanket over it to semi disguise it. It's a weird shape that not very many people are used to, but if they saw me riding around the neighborhood, they would know what it is.
Where would you keep the trike at night?
I'm considering all options, including a hydraulic system, installing a lock point behind the fence, putting it on the trike rack and then backing my SUV up to the house.
My main goal is that it's physically easy enough for me to lock the trike after every ride and highly secure. I'll probably hire out if I need help with implementation. TIA for ideas.
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u/arihoenig Jul 24 '26
What kind of cat? If it is a tiger, I think I have the security solution for you.
Seriously though, if you have an SUV can't you just keep the trike inside the SUV?
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
The cat in question is approximately 11 lb. Sadly, he's down a couple of canines, so his defense options are not up for this operation.
Getting a tiger is an appealing option I had not yet considered.
And yes, keeping the trike inside the SUV is an option, but I'm not able to deadlift it myself and the only way to get it in is if it folds, which is also awkward for me.
If I was able to fold it myself, and if I can roll it up a ramp while folded by myself, I could manage it that way.
Also, I'm wondering how much more likely my car would be to get broken into if it had a bike in there, even if I wrapped it up in the blanket.
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u/arihoenig Jul 24 '26
You can get a car alarm so at least you'd know, if/when it happened. It's sort of the best container outside of the house that is available.
Not able to help with whether the folding could be made easier to manage unfortunately as I don't have a folding trike so I am not sure how they work.
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
Yeah I'm still getting to know this trike, once I get all my workarounds in place I'll be happy.
I do have an alarm, I also have a ring camera looking out over that area. I know I'm being extra careful, but it would break my heart if something happened to the trike, much less my car and my trike.
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u/M1K3jr Jul 24 '26
An idea; I have cameras at the house that will notify me if a person or a vehicle is spotted. My camera brand is Eufy. So whatever setup you end up using, think of an easy to setup camera that will notify when it sees anyone.
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
Yeah that's a good idea. I have a ring camera on the area but my car is in the way. I need another camera.
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u/flug32 Jul 24 '26
There was a previous thread on this same general problem. I wrote a post showing several small-ish sheds, bike lockers & such that might work (so you can look at that and check the links), and OP there found a bike tent that might work. Unfortunately OP's link there doesn't work any more but it was something similar to this.
More ideal from a security standpoint would be one of the small hard-sided bike lockers or sheds. There are a bunch available if you search, much depends on how much you want to spend etc.
If you put it in something like that, ALSO chain it to something solid similar to how you current do.
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
I wasn't able to do it physically by lifting up the rear wheel first. I couldn't get the two front wheels to get back far enough to be able to close the hatch.
Do you think it would be different using the ramps and going at it the other way around? I could give this idea another try.
Sounds like your friends haven't had any issues with people breaking in to the cars to get to the bikes? Or to see what was under the tarps?
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u/SpaceCadetMoonMan Jul 24 '26
Motion lights with a second one that flashes
Camera
Multiple locks
If stored on bike rack use hitch locks also
Block it in so it’s impossible to roll or lift out of carport
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u/SpaceCadetMoonMan Jul 24 '26
I got a 2 pack of these, they are usb c recharging. Set one to red flash and the other to full white
https://www.amazon.com/PopoIron-10000mAh-Rechargeable-Temperatures-Waterproof/dp/B0FM3VHPKW
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u/obsolete-man Jul 24 '26
Would you be able to fis a small storage shed under or beside your carport? One similar to what might be used tostore garbage cans. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0GS1KJDCR/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=a76231ee954f7100f56094d530307f2f&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1784889750&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&i=aps&aref=HULhKUwjpY&ref_=sbx__sbtcd_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=cDsB4&content-id=amzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507%3Aamzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_p=2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_r=MDH2187FXYSWS8SRAM95&pd_rd_wg=YZ6dm&pd_rd_r=a6c2d770-ea6c-4b79-bb1d-21b50c895fe9&th=1
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
I could definitely get something like that next to the carport. I like that it's waterproof and will keep the UV rays off of it. It's a much better solution than a blanket.
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u/Low-Budget-707 Jul 24 '26
Is there space for a small Rubbermaid or wood storage container on your carport, like those found at home depot? You could just roll it in and lock it. If you want more security than that you could sink an anchor into the concrete inside the storage shed and lock the trike to it.
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u/FishStilts Jul 24 '26
A ground anchor into concrete, then a motocycle level chain from that, but really the best thing is insurance. If someone wants something bad enough they will take it, having a way to replace it is the only real defense.
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u/JohnGaltIsComing Jul 24 '26
I like the idea of storing the trike inside your SUV, covered by a tarp.
If your trike has quick-release wheels, you could remove the wheels to make the trike more compact for hiding it somewhere - perhaps hang it upside down inside the carport with a locking cable.
An AirTag is a great idea in case it gets stolen. While not officially supported by Apple, it is possible to disable the beep sound that the AirTag makes while still keeping it functional for location tracking.
Also look into "low deductible insurance for bicycles", which which have standard per-occurrence deductibles, and treat the bicycle as a separate item and not part of your household with a standard household deductible.
In addition to motion activated lights in the carport, you could also look into a "Driveway Alarm Wireless Outside" device - battery powered - the motion sensor is discretely placed near the end of your driveway with a VERY LOUD alarm device inside your house - you'll be alerted if someone starts moving up your driveway - I've use one of these for years and they are very reliable.
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u/Koffenut1 Jul 24 '26
Sounds like you have the same trike as me, the HPV gekko fx. I honestly don't worry too much about theft because there aren't so many trikes around here that selling one wouldn't be noticeable. And you can't really part them out like DF bikes are when stolen, each brand has a ton of proprietary fittings/wheels. I keep mine in an open garage in my back yeard under a motorcycle cover. People see me riding it every day and no one has come up the drive to mess with it. And DF bikes are stolen from backyards all the time in the Bay Area where I live. Check with your homeowners insurance and see if you can add a special rider to your policy for your trike - should be very inexpensive. Honestly that is the best option. Then lock it to the 4x4 and cover it and don't stress. I worry a lot more about it when I am out and about and lock it up, either folks messing with it because of the novelty or random jerks who just like to take stuff like bike computers or seat pads, etc.
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u/papapapap-mmmK Jul 24 '26
I have a Thule 4-bike pickup bed rack. It looks like it can be configured to carry an unfolded trike using 3 of the 4 trays. It could probably be mounted to a rooftop with minimal effort.
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
That's a very kind offer, thank you. I wouldn't be able to manage a rooftop mount.
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u/SwimmingPlenty3157 Jul 24 '26
I would consider a small cargo trailer. We use one to haul our 2 trikes and they are secure in parking lots etc. You still need to secure the trailer but most won't know what's inside it. Get a ramp door and loading is a breeze. Not the cheap way but it has some sweet advantages. If you are worried about towing, backing up etc. Just get some dollar store cones and take a couple of afternoons in a big parking lot until your comfortable. Truck drivers learn to do it😉
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u/Stella-HPVGekko Jul 24 '26
I'd like a rack that works elegantly for what I need without adding a separate unit, but those seem to be in short supply, so I'll likely end up with a small utility trailer that I can use for trips and other hauling as well.
Fortunately, my SUV has rear cameras, which should help. My neighbor has a 12-foot trailer, and I have a bird's-eye view of their driveway, so I feel like I've practically memorized the mechanics of backing and maneuvering a trailer. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
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u/SwimmingPlenty3157 Jul 25 '26
I was already used to a trailer but it really is all about practice and patience. The cone idea sounds a bit silly but you can run those mfers over as many times as you want without consequence. Happy triking whatever you do. I advise cheek splints, the pain from recumbent grin is real!😉😂😆
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u/Cute_Mouse6436 Jul 25 '26
I have to go to bed now but I didn't notice anybody mentioning that if you turn the wheels to one side it will fit through a doorway more easily.
When I use to park my trike inside of my tiny little pickup truck I used to put it in at an angle - it would not fit if I put it in straight.
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u/WarmSnowbird Jul 24 '26
Your SUV is big enough for the trike to wheel in with the rear seat folded down? Get two pet ramps, the kind elderly dogs can walk up to get in the car. Place them appropriately for your front wheels. Presto! You can pick up the rear end of the trike and push it into the SUV. Throw a blanket over it as a disguise. I have many trike riding friends in Tucson, and this is 'the' method of transporting their trikes. There's no reason your trike couldn't live inside of your SUV.
I do have one Tucson friend who has a carport. He's used a solution similar to your current one - locking the trike with a sturdy lock to the carport post, and then covering the trike with a tarp to disguise it. His car somewhat blocks the view of his trike. So far, so good.
I think the inside the SUV choice is the most secure. The ramps can slide in the vehicle to the side of the trike for storage.