Many cycle locks consist of a heavy flexible chain contained within a weather proof, clear plastic cover. These are weighty, unwieldy and can still be cut by an intrepid thief.
Bleeding Bicycle Lock takes advantage of the clear tubing aspect of this type of lock by filling it with a permanent red dye that also has the characteristic of being highly attractive to wasps, causing them to engage in a stinging frenzy.
The dye remains safely enclosed inside the tubing, under slight pressure until any attempt is made to cut into it.
The benefit is that a very thin, weight saving chain may used. Graphic adverts depicting red dye splattered, wasp encrusted miscreants, fleeing the scene of their failed crimes, ensure that the Bleeding Bicycle Lock acquires an appropriate reputation.-- xenzag, Jun 20 2008 n-heptyl butyrate http://www.livingwi...s.com/yel_trap.html [Klaatu, Jun 20 2008] Effective primarily in the summer months. Perhaps a more far-fetched version would be temperature-controlled and contain wasps, such that the bastards are, um, released when the lock suffers tamperage.-- calum, Jun 20 2008 What if they just cut it enough so it leaks?-- MisterQED, Jun 20 2008 A red dye to attract wasps. Jam?-- theNakedApiarist, Jun 20 2008 I would like to see it tested in the real world first.-- 4whom, Jun 20 2008 //What if they just cut it enough so it leaks?// - well it's under pressure so they get sprayed AND it's a permanent dye - so apart from attracting the wasps, they bear the indelible mark of their dirty work.-- xenzag, Jun 20 2008 But if the thief brings a bun of some kind, perhaps a croissant, he or she can simply drain off the sweet jam and enjoy a treat before returning to their thievery. I guess you could use only the less-popular flavors of jam. Unfortunately, ILoveJam.com has been taken over by Swedish music lovers and no longer offers a list of jam flavors ranked by popularity. I blame big oil.-- luxlucet, Jun 20 2008 //filling it with a permanent red dye// Include willows. They attract moose.-- Amos Kito, Jun 20 2008 Perhaps it should tether onto the upright part of a door frame.-- Ian Tindale, Jun 20 2008 (marked-for-tagline)
I would like to see it tested in the real world first.-- normzone, Jun 20 2008 Wasps don't scare me. Now fill it with ebola virus and I'm going nowhere near your bike.-- napoleonbag, Jun 20 2008 Awesome idea. Suggest it to Boris Johnson; he likes to talk about how he rides his bike a lot.-- dbmag9, Jun 22 2008 halfbakery