Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to chain up my pushchair???

52 replies

thinkingwhattodotoday · 09/11/2011 11:32

Some of the baby groups I go to require prams to be left where you can't keep an eye on it - downstairs, outside or whatever. One particular group (at a children's centre) requires them to be left in a non-enclosed yard bit.

My travel system cost £500 - and would be vv difficult for me to afford to replace. If it was a bike I'd no way just leave it on display unattended in some of these places. I know /(hope??) prams are different, and maybe they don't get stolen. But if anything did happen I'd feel terrible and perhaps that I'd been reckless.

So AIBU to get a bicycle chain for it. I don't see others with them but it would put my mind at rest. Plus has anyone had their pushchair nicked- ever??

OP posts:
MrsTwinks · 09/11/2011 11:35

YANBU, I would probably do the same. I've heard of at least 2 people in the last year who've had pushchairs nicked from outside of somewhere, once outside her house!! She has 3/4 steps up to the door so walked up with toddler, opened door, let her in, and when she turned arround and it was gone.

squeakytoy · 09/11/2011 11:35

Sounds like a very sensible thing to do. People chain up bikes that cost far less.

kittens · 09/11/2011 11:38

I do remember when my sister had her children (around 25years ago) everyone had a bike chain for their pushchairs and used to chain them up outside the clinic and baby groups. I haven't seen it happen around where I live, but then again the places to leave them are usually secure, but if it gives you peace of mind I would do it, the last thing you would want is to find your pram gone, especially as they are so expensive.

GalaxyWeaver · 09/11/2011 11:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
thinkingwhattodotoday · 09/11/2011 11:39

Thank you - I had thought perhaps people would think me a bit OTT but I guess it doesn't really matter what anyone thinks - as long as my pram doesn't get nicked! :)

OP posts:
babyocho · 09/11/2011 11:40

YANBU

I used to keep a bike lock in the bottom of my Bugaboo and used it all the time for peace of mind.

The childrens centres and clinics around here have locks that you can borrow as well.

WhereYouLeftIt · 09/11/2011 11:41

YANBU - sounds very sensible.

starfishmummy · 09/11/2011 11:45

If the childrens centre wants you to leave pushchairs outside then I woyuld be asking questions about what they are doing to make sure they are secure (as well as buying my own chain!).

DeWe · 09/11/2011 11:48

I used a bike lock for mine at the local swimming pool that had a bit of a problem with people leaving their grotty one and taking the one they fancied. I used to chain it up in the bike shed. Never had any complaints about that, in fact I think the staff thought it was great idea to not take it inside.
Mine was only a basic Maclaren stroller, so not worth a lot, but I wasn't going to be stuck with someone elses rubbish and them get mine. Once mine was looking well worn, I didn't worry about chaining it any more.

notcitrus · 09/11/2011 11:48

YANBU. Dn's nursery requires prams to be left outside under an open roof, and they're all supposed to be locked up - a pain if someone different is doing collection.

I went to the baby-friendly cinema in Brixton once and there were over 200 buggies, many really nice ones, all left in the bar, and many people joking that it would be a good place to come to get an upgrade... I was happy with my Maclaren though. :)

LifeIsButtercream · 09/11/2011 11:56

YANBU - very sensible idea!

I carried a bike lock and would lock the buggy up if I had to leave it in an unsecured place - we went to Center Parcs recently and they actively encourage you to bike-lock your buggies while you are in the swimming complex.

We don't use a buggy much now DD is older - but I would still lock it up if I had to leave it anywhere - better a lock and a possibly a few funny looks than a vanishing £500 travel system!

Andrewofgg · 09/11/2011 12:04

Who the hell would mind? Do it and make sure it's a good one. Then later in life you can join Hell's Grannies.

Behave, Andrew. Break the habit of a lifetime and behave :o

redpanda13 · 09/11/2011 12:07

YANBU
I used a bike chain when DD was younger and I noticed that I was no way the only one. No funny looks just once someone saying what a good idea.

JAMW · 09/11/2011 12:09

I've been to three surestarts and they keep bike locks at reception, just ask at the desk! No way I'm leaving my £700 mammas and pappas pram outside amongst everyones cheap mclarens if it wasn't chained!

halcyondays · 09/11/2011 12:11

Yanbu, if they are left outside in a yard then you never know. Apparently prams do get sometimesstolen from places like outside swimming pools.

StealthPenguin · 09/11/2011 12:12

I had my one nicked while I was out shopping a few months ago. Was more than just a little upset, as they'd nabbed my Love2Shop vouchers I was given as a gift and the nice top I had just bought. I literally turned around for a second to show DS something, turned back and some chavvy so-and-so was running off with it.

Silver lining: I then ran around every charity shop I could to buy an interim pram, and scored a nice Graco one for £15 that's easier to drive, folds better, has an adjustable seat-back and it even came with its own raincover!! Spot of febreeze and some anti-bac wipes and it looked good as new! It even has a food tray on the front which will come in handy when DS starts needing snacks :)

But no, YANBU. If it's a travel system then I'd definitely chain it up.

ratspeaker · 09/11/2011 12:32

YANBU
Many years ago my friend had her buggy stolen from outside the HV clinic, my mum had the spare buggy knicked from outside her house and another friend had her beautiful mamas and papas pram taken from her mum's common stair, it had been chained up and someone came with bolt cutters!

idontneedthis · 09/11/2011 12:38

would something like this work?

pram lock

LaurieFairyCake · 09/11/2011 12:42

I'm surprised they don't get stolen more frequently given how much people can make from reselling them.

I think that about the stuff in my garden too, I'm really surprised people haven't stolen my plantpots and etageres.

bishboschone · 09/11/2011 13:21

I have a bicycle chain on my travel system. My husband got one that he screwed to the frame, we use it when I leave it. I can afford to replace it but I'm fecked if I'm gonna risk it being nicked . I actually live in a very middle class area but nope it's not worth the risk. I worked hard to pay for it and would be very very cross if someone took it.

fedupwithdeployment · 09/11/2011 13:25

I used one...dodgy part of Portsmouth!

fuzzynavel · 09/11/2011 13:28

YANBU. What a fantastic idea, you go get that lock Smile

addictediam · 09/11/2011 13:37

I'm getting a prank lock for my new double, its the bugaboo donkey and costs the same as a small second hand car! Shock We couldnt afford to replace it, so it will be locked up anywhere I have to leave it unattended.

suburbandream · 09/11/2011 13:42

of course YANBU - I'm surprised the children's centre doesn't provide locks and chains if they are to be kept out of view. Our local gym/leisure centre has buggy locks downstairs as you are not allowed to take them in.

I used to live in a basement flat and it was a real pain lugging a double buggy and two children up and down! I bought a bit of chain from a hardware shop and used to chain the buggy to the railings with a combination lock.

HappyCamel · 09/11/2011 14:20

I use a bike lock on mine for the exact reasons you posted OP.