Shane, the lock I have on the Parkpre MTB is typical for better bikes. Those ABUS, OnGuard or Kryptonite compact U-locks are enough of a pain for the would-be thief to get open that they look for something easier to steal. A more modern, and therefore easier to sell MTB of higher value would use two locks of different kinds, for example a U-lock and a chain and padlock for the insurance to be valid. My brother has had over 20 bikes stolen, I have so far only lost 1 to theft and 1 written off as an inept thief damaged the seat stays without getting the lock open. Standard sit-up-and-beg citybikes are usually locked with a framemounted ringlock and sometimes a steel wire as well.
There is no need to apologize, topicshift is to be expected and the different viewpoints from different cultures widens the horizons for us all.
Ron, there are very few cities that have good infrastructure for bikes in the world but thanks to people like John Forester in the US and the Copenhagenize crowd in Denmark, the politicians are at least aware even if they don't do much because of budget constraints and constant lobbying from the car industry.