New bicycle lock causes thieves to vomit

LOS ANGELES - There are more than 1.5 million bicycle thefts a year in the United States, thanks to criminals using tools ranging from their bare hands to portable saws and drills.

But now a new lock may make those criminals think twice… about their lunch. The SkunkLock is a U-shaped lock of carbon and steel. It's filled with pressurized gas that erupts in the direction of any gash that is made.

One of the inventors, Daniel Idzkowski, told The Guardian "It's pretty much immediately vomit inducing [and] causes difficulty breathing."

Virtually no lock will stop a determined thief. The key is to have your lock be as much of a deterrent as possible. If it takes more time to steal, or is more secure than another bike nearby, the chances are it will be safer.

If you're not in a revenge sort of mood, here are some tips to safeguard your wheels:

Use high-quality U-shaped locks for your frame, and cable locks on the wheels.

The placement of the lock is vital. Don't leave room for thieves to operate tools.

Register with the National Bike Registry.

And GPS trackers are available to help police track down your bike if it does get stolen.

Or you can go with the SkunkLock. It should be pretty easy to find them.