A chain-type bike lock, made of mostly magnesium instead of steel. Beneath the magnesium layer is a substance tha burns on contact with air. On top of the magnesium layer is a quick-burning layer to get the whole chain burning at once. If a thief cuts the lock, the inner layer ignites the magnesium, which melts the bike into worthless scrap. Thus, there's no reason for a thief to cut the lock and try to steal the bike.

(not sure if I posted this before)
-- sninctown, May 30 2006

Ridiculously dangerous, and equally awesome idea. Bun!
-- epicproblem, May 30 2006


There may be no reason for a thief to cut the lock, but there's every reason for a vandal to do it.
-- fridge duck, May 30 2006


It'll hurt people without discretion. What if it's on the bike while you get into an accident? While you could have survived with a broken leg, now you'll have to amputate it. (I don't care about the person's car, but it'll hurt the most the one who's not surrounded by a cage of steel.)
-- kevinthenerd, May 30 2006


Great, now I have no bike OR lock. But I do have this cool puddle of molten metal! And burning rubber.

At what temperature does the average bike frame melt? I'm thinking it's probably pretty high.
-- nihilo, May 30 2006


Could this idea be applied to handcuffs, to dissuade a felon from escaping and then trying to cut themselves free?
-- whatrock, Oct 22 2018


Aluminum frame, mercury in lock cable, and a warning sign?
-- Voice, Oct 24 2018


// At what temperature does the average bike frame melt? I'm thinking it's probably pretty high. //

Plastic, aluminium, steel, stainless steel, titanium, or carbon? Low, low, high, high, high, burns (I think).
-- notexactly, Nov 07 2018



random, halfbakery