In many urban markets bicycle theft is rampant. Easy to steal and easy to sell, if you ride an expensive bike in a big city you take a big risk. Skunklock is a new product that wants to help thwart potential thieves and they are using a unique method in doing so.
Skunklock looks like a standard u-shaped metal lock but inside is a poisonous surprise. Skunklock will release a toxic gas when a crook attempts to cut the lock causing the miscreant to vomit while making their clothes “irreversibly ruined”. Payback is hell. Founder Daniel Idzkowski, based in San Francisco, created the product after seeing so many of his friend’s bikes stolen.
My very first question is whether, or not, this retail chemical weapon is actually legal. Sure, Pepper spray is widely utilized but it does not make generally make you puke your guts out. Skunklock explains;
“We have taken the necessary precautions to ensure that the SkunkLock is legal and compliant with US laws and regulations. On March 2016, we conducted a survey of state laws within the United States regarding the sale and ownership of SkunkLock products. We have identified that there are some possible limitations of shipping the SkunkLock to certain states within the US due to the fact that some versions of the SkunkLock may contain capsaicin compounds. We know that these regulations were enacted with pepper spray in mind.”
So there may be some states where Skunklock won’t or can’t ship. SkunkLock explains that their product may contain capsaicin, the active irritant in pepper spray, or they may ship an alternative ralphing formula.
Skunklock is taking a more active than passive approach to theft deterrence. I have to be honest that I kind of like the proposal. Perhaps this is a concept that can be leveraged elsewhere? Think about it.
Skunklock is crowdfunding on Indiegogo now. If you want to be first on the list to receive a Skunklock they are planning to ship beginning in June 2017. Cost is around $100 or so. If some governmental agency does not shut this down expect to see it in bike shops everywhere soon enough.
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